Feliciano Lopez celebrates his victory against Rafa Nadal

Sooner or later, Rafa Nadal had to lose a match. That was countryman Feliciano Lopez’s belief and he did his part. The eight seed used an effective serve and a diverse selection of groundstrokes and an occasional net charge top keep the crafty left–hander, Nadal, off balance.

The result was a hard-played, hard-earned 7-6(5), 6-4 one hour fifty-two minute quarterfinal upset. Lopez saved five of seven break points and fired 12 aces at the top seed. The last time Lopez defeated Nadal was in 2003. The crowd was stunned by the aggressive strategy the 28-year old underdog executed.

“He played really well. I think his serve was very good and from the baseline he had a very good slice,” said a gracious Nadal. The world number one said he needed to practice on grass before Wimbledon. Lopez, who ended a Rafa’s remarkable 24 match winning streak, will move to the semis where he will meet another upset specialist, American Mardy Fish.

Friday morning, Fish continued his suspended third round match against hometown favorite Andy Murray by subduing the Scotsman in a third set tiebreaker. The pair resumed play at 3-3. Murray, the defending champion, is not in form and simply committing too many errors. His once feared return game lacks execution and shot selection. Murray, once projected to be the next Roger Federer, is headed in the opposite direction.

Fish used 11 aces to put away 12th seed Michael Llorda of France 6-4, 6-4. Fish is holding serve, a key ingredient on grass, and attacking effectively. Fish has not lost to Lopez in three years.

Another American, 7th seed Sam Querrey, did what Novak Djokovic could not and polished off Xavier Malisse in straight sets 6-3, 7-5. Querrey only converted three of fifteen break chances. Malisse seemed to always be coming form behind against the world’s number 23 player.

The final semifinalist is German over-the-hill resurrection project Rainer Schuetter. The German finished Andy Roddick’s victor 14th seed Dud Sela. The Israeli could not duplicate the energy level he displayed against the fourth seed. Schuetter had all the answers and continually passed Dudi at net in the 7-5, 6-4, 1.5 hour match.

Schuetter was a semifinalist at Wimbledon and has good grass experience. Querrey is having an impressive year. The 23-year old won the Belgrade and Memphis tournaments. Both Americans are heavy favorites.

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