Roger Federer crashed out of the Monte-Carlo Masters in the third round after he was defeated by Stanislas Wawrinka.

The world number two, who has lost in the final to Rafael Nadal at the Monte-Carlo Country Club for the previous three years, was always second best in a rain-interrupted 6-4 7-5 loss.

Federer has failed to lift himself after a difficult 2008 and came into the clay season without a title to his name since last summer's US Open.

Wawrinka, who partnered Federer to gold in the doubles at the Beijing Olympics, secured the crucial break in the 11th game of the second set, saving two break points and clinching a landmark victory with a stunning backhand.

Federer's backhand has been the subject of scrutiny this season but he blamed inconsistency on his forehand for today's loss.

"I thought I had decent timing on my backhand," said the 13-time grand slam champion. "I was playing it okay, trying to mix it up as well.

"But my forehand was hurting me in the beginning. I was making a few too many errors. That kind of gave him the advantage. I thought Stan played well."

Despite his disappointment, Federer insisted he was happy for Wawrinka, who broke into the top 10 last season and will be optimistic of another good spell on his favourite surface.

"I'm happy for him that he's progressed so much over the last couple years," continued Federer. "He's finally making a push, getting close to top players and beating top players like myself.

"I think it's great for him. The beginning of the clay court season, he's already playing really well.

"That's stuff he couldn't really do three seasons ago because he got injured or he had tough draws or he played one horrible match which took away his confidence.

"And this year and last year I think it's all sort of coming together for him. I'm happy for him."

The weather played havoc with proceedings today, with rain delaying the start of play for five hours and then returning in the late afternoon.

Only three more matches were completed, with third seed Novak Djokovic surviving a mid-match wobble to defeat Albert Montanes 6-1 6-7 (4/7) 6-0.

The Serbian, who is battling to hold on to the world number three spot under pressure from Andy Murray, appeared to be cruising at a set and a break up but allowed Montanes back into the match before re-establishing his dominance in the decider.

Seventh seed Fernando Verdasco served notice of his intent with a hugely impressive 6-2 6-1 victory over 10th seed and fellow Spaniard David Ferrer and will provide a stern test for Djokovic in the quarter-finals.

Wawrinka, seeded 13th, will face qualifier Andreas Beck next after the German followed up his second-round victory over Gilles Simon with a 3-6 6-2 7-5 win against Juan Monaco.

Murray will resume his match against qualifier Fabio Fognini tomorrow leading by a set and 1-0 after coming from 5-0 down to clinch the opener 13-11 in a remarkable tie-break.

World number one Rafael Nadal and qualifier Nicolas Lapentti managed only one game of their third-round match before the rain came, with the Ecuadorian holding his serve.