[1]Rafael Nadal suffered his first defeat in 25 matches as he was beaten by Feliciano Lopez 6-7 (5), 4-6 in the quarterfinals at Queen's Club on Friday, while defending champion Andy Murray also crashed out.
Not since Andy Roddick beat Nadal in the Miami semifinals in March had the Spaniard walked off court a loser, but his compatriot and close friend Lopez brought that magnificent run to an end.
Nadal had needed treatment for a strain in his right side of his lower torso during his victory over Denis Istomin on Thursday and the French Open champion never seemed completely comfortable against Lopez.
Fish ended Andy Murray's reign as the unseeded American defeated the Scot 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (2) in their third round clash. Serbia's second seed Novak Djokovic joined Roddick out the exit door, losing to Belgium's Xavier Malisse 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. Fifth seed Marin Cilic also tumbled on a bad week for the top seeds, the Croat beaten 7-6, 6-2 by France's Michael Llodra.
Federer cruises
Halle: Top-seeded Roger Federer eased into the quarterfinals of the Gerry Weber Open here, beating Alejandro Falla of Colombia 6-1, 6-2 on Thursday.
French Open semifinalist Jurgen Melzer was upset by Mischa Zverev of Germany 3-6, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (3). Benjamin Becker upset second-seeded Nikolay Davydenko 6-3, 6-4.
Sharapova in semis
Birmingham: Maria Sharapova once again proved too strong for her old foe Sesil Karatantcheva on Friday as she reached the semifinals at the grasscourt event here with a 6-2, 6-4 victory. Sharapova won two matches on Thursday, completing a rain-delayed 6-0, 6-3 victory over Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the United States and then beating fellow Russian Alla Kudryavtseva 6-3, 6-1.
Yanina Wickmayer won twice on Thursday, while top-seeded Li Na of China beat Anne Keothavong of Britain 6-2, 6-4, then faced Angelique Kerber of Germany. —Agencies
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