Roger Federer crashed out of the Madrid Open with a 3-6, 7-6 (13-11), 6-4, defeat to Dominic Thiem in the quarter-finals.
The Swiss found himself facing off against the Austrian, who beat him in the final of Indian Wells earlier this year.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner started well taking the first set, but started to show strain as the contest entered a grueling tiebreak in the second.
Federer, 37, capitulated in the final set, losing to a determined opponent.
He revealed after the defeat of his desire to play in the Rome Masters as he steps up preparation for this year’s Roland Garros, following a three-year absence.
However, world number two, Raphael Nadal, had no such problem. He easily dispatched Federer’s compatriot, Stanislas Wawrinka, 6-1, 6-2.
Nadal will face Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semis, after the young Greek got the better of Alexander Zverev 7-5, 3-6, 6-2.
