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Federer loses to Berdych in Wimbledon quarters

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-07-01 03:24

Switzerland's Roger Federer walks off the court after being defeated by Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic at the 2010 Wimbledon tennis championships in London, June 30, 2010. [Agencies]

WIMBLEDON, England - For the first time in eight years, Roger Federer won't be striding onto Centre Court for the Wimbledon final.

The six-time champion was upset in the quarterfinals by big-hitting Tomas Berdych on Wednesday, stopping his bid for a record-tying seventh title at the All England Club and extending his recent stretch of disappointing play.

The 12th-seeded Berdych used his big serve and forehand to beat Federer 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, on Centre Court for the biggest victory of the Czech's career.

Berdych will meet No. 3 Novak Djokovic for a spot in the final, with No. 2 Rafael Nadal facing No. 4 Andy Murray in the other semifinal.

It's the first time since 2002 that Federer has failed to reach the final. Since losing in the first round eight years ago, Federer had played in the championship match a record seven consecutive times. He won the title six times and finished runner-up once, bolstering his reputation as the greatest player of all-time.

Winner of a record 16 Grand Slam titles, Federer said he was unable to play his best tennis Wednesday because of pain in his back and right leg.

"I couldn't play the way I wanted to play," said Federer, who had been chasing the record of seven titles won by Pete Sampras and 19th-century player William Renshaw. "I am struggling with a little bit of a back and a leg issue. That just doesn't quite allow me to play the way I would like to play. It's frustrating, to say the least."

Berdych said he didn't notice anything wrong with Federer.

"I don't know if he is just looking for some excuses after the match or something like that," he said. "I think he was 100 percent ready."

Berdych ripped a clean forehand winner on his second match point to become the first Czech to reach the men's semifinals since Ivan Lendl in 1990.

"Not many other moments can compare to this one," Berdych said. "Standing on Centre Court here in Wimbledon, beating the six-time champion here. It couldn't be better. But there is still one match to feel better feelings than this one. I hope I can get to that."

Berdych will next face Djokovic, who swept past Yen-hsun Lu in straight sets to reach the semifinals for the second time. The third-seeded Djokovic never faced a break point as he beat the 82nd-ranked Taiwanese player 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in less than two hours on Court 1.

Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic celebrates defeating Switzerland's Roger Federer at the 2010 Wimbledon tennis championships in London, June 30, 2010. [Agencies]