Reigning French Open Champions Rafael Nadal and Anna Ivanovic Fall

Robin Soderling and Victoria Azarenka caused upsets in the mens and womens draws, while Andy Murray progressed to the quarter-finals


In the greatest tennis upset in the modern era Spain's Rafael Nadal, unbeaten at Roland Garros in 31 matches and attempting to beat Bjorn Borg's record of four consecutive French Open titles, was beaten 6–2, 6–7 (2), 6–4, 7–6 (2) by the unheralded Robin Soderling of Sweden, the No23 seed, in the fourth round today. "What happened? I lost. That's it," said the Spanish world No1.

Just before Nadal's loss, a defeat that was unthinkable as the tournament entered its second week, Britain's Andy Murray had beaten Marin Cilic of Croatia 7–5, 7–6 (4), 6–1 to reach his first French Open quarter-final. Murray will play Chile's Fernando Gonzálezon Tuesday, with the way now open, as the highest remaining seed in his half of the draw following Nadal's exit, for him to claim a place in his second grand slam final, having lost to Roger Federer at the US Open last year.

"I'm playing well. I mean, you don't get to the quarters of the French not playing good clay-court tennis," said Murray, the No3 seed. "This clay-court season has been good. It's much better than in previous years. I try to keep improving.

"González will be very tough. He's won all of his matches very easily so far, and has got a huge forehand. He serves well, loves playing on clay and he's very unpredictable, which makes it tough to play against him."

Serbia's Ana Ivanovic, the women's reigning champion, was also beaten, losing 6–2, 6–3 against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, but this paled into insignificance compared to Nadal's defeat. The six-times grand slam champion had been the overwhelming favorite, having lost only five matches on clay since the beginning of 2005. He won the titles in Monte Carlo, Rome and Barcelona prior to the French Open, although he was beaten by Roger Federer, the No2 seed and 13-times grand slam champion, in the Madrid Masters final two weeks ago.

"I didn't play my best tennis against Soderling, so it was my fault," said Nadal, who won the Australian Open earlier this year and Wimbledon last year. "I am not going to make any excuses. It is always tough losing in a slam, especially in one where you have the better chance to win."

The main beneficiary ought to be Federer, who has never won this title, and who lost to Nadal at the last four French Opens, three times in the final. But it could just be Murray.


© Guardian News & Media 2008
Published: 5/31/2009
 
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