Federer out in Estoril

Roger Federer has been knocked out of the Estoril Open at the semi-final stage by defending champion Albert Montanes.

World number one knocked out early again on clay

Roger Federer has been knocked out of the Estoril Open at the semi-final stage, the world number one losing 6-2 7-6 (7/5) to defending champion Albert Montanes. The Swiss star won the Portuguese event in his only previous appearance in 2008 but proved wanting on a clay court on Saturday as his Spanish opponent claimed victory in one hour and 21 minutes. Montanes will meet home favourite Frederico Gil on Sunday after he beat Spanish fifth seed Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-2 5-7 6-3 to reach his first ATP Tour final. Top seed Federer had reached the last four having received a first-round bye and also beaten Germany's Bjorn Phau and France's Arnaud Clement. He had previously held a 100 per cent record against Montanes with two of his three wins coming on clay, although the world number 34 did take him to four sets at Roland Garros two years ago. Ahead of Federer's defence of his French Open title later this month, the result therefore means that he has been eliminated early at a second straight clay court event. Federer also lost to Ernests Gulbis at the ATP Masters event in Rome last month. Gil, who lost to Federer in Estoril in 2008, was already the first Portuguese player ever to reach the semi-finals of the tournament and he went one better against Garcia-Lopez. The world number 133 won his only previous meeting with the Spaniard last year in Johannesburg and he improved his record with victory in two hours 28 minutes on Saturday.