MONTE CARLO, Monaco (AP) Roger Federer's 25-match winning streak the longest in men's tennis since 1984 ended Friday at the hands of a French teenager not even ranked in the top 100.
Richard Gasquet, an 18-year-old qualifier playing in just his fourth match of the year on the ATP Tour, jolted the world's No. 1 player by saving three match points in a 6-7 (1), 6-2, 7-6 (8) victory to reach the Monte Carlo Masters semifinals.
''It feels surreal,'' Gasquet said.
Federer, a four-time Grand Slam winner, was going for his third straight Masters Series title in this important clay-court event leading to the French Open.
''He's definitely got all the tools,'' the Swiss star said. ''It's a matter of consistency. That's what I was struggling with in the beginning. I think that's what he was doing, too.''
Gasquet, ranked 101st, will face Spain's Rafael Nadal, another 18-year-old, in Saturday's semifinals. Nadal, seeded 11th, defeated fourth-seeded Gaston Gaudio of Argentina, the French Open champion, 6-3, 6-0.
Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain and defending champion Guillermo Coria of Argentina also won to reach the semis.
Federer entered the match with a 35-1 record this year, the best ATP start since John McEnroe was 39-0 in 1984. His only previous loss was to Marat Safin in the Australian Open semis. Federer hadn't lost in his last 35 matches against players outside the top 100.
''Of course, it's frustrating,'' Federer said. ''He gave me a chance to come back in the match, which I should have taken. But he deserved to win.''
Ever since winning an ATP Tour match at 15 years, 10 months also at Monte Carlo in 2002 Gasquet has faced big expectations. Now, no less a player than Federer is praising Gasquet.
''I've heard it all before, but coming from Federer that is an enormous compliment,'' he said.
Federer saved two match points late in the third set to force the tiebreaker, but couldn't convert three of his own. Then it was Gasquet's turn. After wasting two match points, he ripped a winning backhand passing shot down the line from far behind the baseline.
''I don't even hit those shots in training,'' Gasquet said. ''There can't be a better way to win a match. I'm struggling to take on board what has happened.''
Gasquet became the first French teenager to beat a No. 1 player since 19-year-old Henri Leconte topped Ivan Lendl in 1983.
''He was hitting clean winners all the time. You don't get many players like that,'' Federer said. ''It was unusual for me. He was in a zone and you felt there was no more you could do. I was hanging in there.''
Before Monte Carlo, Gasquet played in three Challenger Series, winning twice. He had to pass two qualifying rounds in Monte Carlo just to make the first round.
''I was not even thinking about Federer back then,'' Gasquet said.
Friday's matches were played shortly after the funeral of Monaco's Prince Rainier III, who died last week. Flags flew at half staff at the complex and the start was delayed several hours to avoid a conflict with the service. A minute's silence was held before play.
Ferrero, a two-time champion, advanced with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Italy's Filippo Volandri. Coria, seeded sixth, overcame a sloppy start to beat Spain's David Ferrer 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. Ferrero and Coria will meet in the semis in a rematch of the 2003 Monte Carlo final won by Ferrero.
The 23-year-old Federer likes the prospect of a new power struggle in tennis between two such young players as Gasquet and Nadal.
''I would give the advantage to Nadal. It will be an interesting match,'' Federer said. ''Whatever happens, there will be a young player in the final, which is good for tennis.''
''I also believe that in tennis nowadays we have the generation of (Andre) Agassi, (Tim) Henman, then my generation and then the young players,'' he added. ''It's an exciting time.''
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Richard Gasquet, an 18-year-old qualifier playing in just his fourth match of the year on the ATP Tour, jolted the world's No. 1 player by saving three match points in a 6-7 (1), 6-2, 7-6 (8) victory to reach the Monte Carlo Masters semifinals.
''It feels surreal,'' Gasquet said.
Federer, a four-time Grand Slam winner, was going for his third straight Masters Series title in this important clay-court event leading to the French Open.
''He's definitely got all the tools,'' the Swiss star said. ''It's a matter of consistency. That's what I was struggling with in the beginning. I think that's what he was doing, too.''
Gasquet, ranked 101st, will face Spain's Rafael Nadal, another 18-year-old, in Saturday's semifinals. Nadal, seeded 11th, defeated fourth-seeded Gaston Gaudio of Argentina, the French Open champion, 6-3, 6-0.
Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain and defending champion Guillermo Coria of Argentina also won to reach the semis.
Federer entered the match with a 35-1 record this year, the best ATP start since John McEnroe was 39-0 in 1984. His only previous loss was to Marat Safin in the Australian Open semis. Federer hadn't lost in his last 35 matches against players outside the top 100.
''Of course, it's frustrating,'' Federer said. ''He gave me a chance to come back in the match, which I should have taken. But he deserved to win.''
Ever since winning an ATP Tour match at 15 years, 10 months also at Monte Carlo in 2002 Gasquet has faced big expectations. Now, no less a player than Federer is praising Gasquet.
''I've heard it all before, but coming from Federer that is an enormous compliment,'' he said.
Federer saved two match points late in the third set to force the tiebreaker, but couldn't convert three of his own. Then it was Gasquet's turn. After wasting two match points, he ripped a winning backhand passing shot down the line from far behind the baseline.
''I don't even hit those shots in training,'' Gasquet said. ''There can't be a better way to win a match. I'm struggling to take on board what has happened.''
Gasquet became the first French teenager to beat a No. 1 player since 19-year-old Henri Leconte topped Ivan Lendl in 1983.
''He was hitting clean winners all the time. You don't get many players like that,'' Federer said. ''It was unusual for me. He was in a zone and you felt there was no more you could do. I was hanging in there.''
Before Monte Carlo, Gasquet played in three Challenger Series, winning twice. He had to pass two qualifying rounds in Monte Carlo just to make the first round.
''I was not even thinking about Federer back then,'' Gasquet said.
Friday's matches were played shortly after the funeral of Monaco's Prince Rainier III, who died last week. Flags flew at half staff at the complex and the start was delayed several hours to avoid a conflict with the service. A minute's silence was held before play.
Ferrero, a two-time champion, advanced with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Italy's Filippo Volandri. Coria, seeded sixth, overcame a sloppy start to beat Spain's David Ferrer 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. Ferrero and Coria will meet in the semis in a rematch of the 2003 Monte Carlo final won by Ferrero.
The 23-year-old Federer likes the prospect of a new power struggle in tennis between two such young players as Gasquet and Nadal.
''I would give the advantage to Nadal. It will be an interesting match,'' Federer said. ''Whatever happens, there will be a young player in the final, which is good for tennis.''
''I also believe that in tennis nowadays we have the generation of (Andre) Agassi, (Tim) Henman, then my generation and then the young players,'' he added. ''It's an exciting time.''
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