( CNN ) -- World number three Roger Federer exited the Monte Carlo Masters at the quarterfinals stage to Austrian Jurgen Melzer Friday . Melzer was securing his first victory over the 16-time grand slam champion as he ran out a 6-4 6-4 winner at the prestigious clay court event . It was the earliest defeat for Federer in a tournament this year , ending his hopes of claiming the Monte Carlo title for the first time after being beaten three times in the final by Rafael Nadal . He has drawn blank since claiming the ATP season-opener in Doha , Qatar . Federer had breezed to the last eight , but was always struggling against Melzer in blustery conditions . Melzer broke for 3-2 in the opening set after an errant Federer forehand and held on to close it out . Blog : Can Sharapova return to the top ? The second followed a similar pattern , with Federer unable to capitalize on his seven break points in the match as the seventh seed went through . Melzer was delighted to finally get past his old nemesis in such convincing fashion . `` He beat me three times last year and I did n't even win a set , '' he told AFP . `` But many things went well for me , my shots worked well . When he had break points I was calm and served well . `` I did well on the big points and played my game . '' Federer shrugged off his defeat as he now takes a two-week break before the Madrid Masters in his build-up to the French Open next month . `` I do n't think I played terrible , it was OK. Obviously , it was still the first week of clay , so I do n't expect myself to play my very best . If I had , it would be a pleasant surprise , '' said the second seed . Melzer will now play world number six David Ferrer after the Spaniard saw off 11th Viktor Troicki of Serbia 6-3 6-3 in an earlier match Friday . There was no stopping world number one Rafael Nadal , bidding for his seventh straight title in Monte Carlo , as he swept aside Croatian Ivan Ljubicic 6-1 6-3 to reach the last four . Nadal will face off against Britain 's Andy Murray for a place in Sunday 's final after the number three seed continued his fine run with a 6-1 6-2 dismissal of Portuguse qualifier Frederico Gil in just over an hour .
Roger Federer beaten in quarterfinals of Monte Carlo Masters by Jurgen Melzer . Melzer wins 6-4 6-4 to earn a semifinal meeting with Spain 's David Ferrer . Rafael Nadal crushes Ivan Ljubicic to stay on course for seventh straight Monte Carlo crown . Andy Murray next up for World No.1 after he beat Frederico Gil 6-2 6-1 .