Nadal Falls in 4th Round

23rd seed Soderling breaks Rafa's 31-match French Open win streak
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted May 31, 2009 11:20 AM CDT
Nadal Falls in 4th Round
Rafael Nadal reacts as he plays Sweden's Robin Soderling at the French Open Sunday May 31, 2009. Soderling won 6-2, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6.   (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Rafael Nadal's unbeaten run at the French Open is over. The four-time defending champion has lost to Robin Soderling of Sweden in the fourth round, ending his record 31-match winning streak at Roland Garros. Soderling, seeded 23rd at this year's tournament, ran Nadal ragged on center court with his hard serve and booming forehand.

Nadal has dominated the French Open since his first match on its red clay. In his 31 previous matches, he had lost only seven sets—the last one coming against Roger Federer in the 2007 final. Today's margin was razor thin: 6-2, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 7-6 (2). Defending women's champion Ana Ivanovic also lost today. (More Rafael Nadal stories.)

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