Roger Federer's Historic Streak, French Open Run Ended by Robin Soderling
By Tyler Lambert
The defending French Open champion and current world No. 1 Roger Federer was upended by Robin Soderling of Sweden in the quarterfinals at Roland Garros, suffering a 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 defeat.
The loss ended Federer's historic run of 23 consecutive major semifinal appearances, dating back to 2004.
Federer's loss to the Swede also guaranteed that Rafael Nadal will regain the No. 1 ranking if he goes on to win the French Open for a fifth time in six opportunities.
The shocker by Soderling was his second in as many years at Roland Garros. Last year, he stunned four-time defending champion Rafael Nadal in the round of 16.
The win also gave Soderling his first career win against Federer in 13 attempts.
Soderling and Federer faced off in Final of the French Open last year, with Federer getting the best of the hard-hitting Swede in a 6-1, 7-6 (7-1), 6-4 victory.
Federer went on to win Wimbledon in an epic five set match against Andy Roddick, then suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Juan Martin del Potro in the US Open final.
Soderling, meanwhile, went on to lose against Federer in the next two major tournaments: The round of 16 at Wimbledon and the quarterfinals of the US Open.
Soderling will now go on to face Tomas Berdych in the semifinals after Berdych dispatched Mikhail Youzhny 6-3, 6-1, 6-2. If Soderling advances to the final, he will likely face Nadal, who will be looking to avenge his loss to the Swede last year.
Federer's streak may now over, but it's hard to imagine that it will ever be broken in the future. In distant second to Federer in the all-time ranks for consecutive major semifinal appearances are Ivan Lendl and Rod Laver, each with 10.
Rafael Nadal may go on to be the eventual champion, and Robin Soderling may be the top upset specialist in the game right now, but Roger Federer...