FanHouse Robin Soderling

BEIJING (AP) -- Rafael Nadal lost in the semifinals of the China Open on Saturday, falling 6-1, 6-3 to Marin Cilic.

The eighth-seeded Croat cruised past the Spaniard, setting up a final against Serbia's Novak Djokovic, who beat Sweden's Robin Soderling 6-3, 6-3.

In the women's draw, Svetlana Kuznetsova defeated Russian compatriot Nadia Petrova, 6-1, 6-3, to move into the final against 12th seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, who downed France's Marion Bartoli, 6-4, 6-3.

Cilic broke Nadal's serve twice in the first set, racing to a 5-0 lead as the world's second-ranked player struggled against the 21-year-old's booming serve and aggressive returns. Cilic racked up six aces in the first set, with a first-serve percentage of 83.

BEIJING (AP) -- Rafael Nadal moved into the semifinals of the China Open on Friday by defeating Marat Safin 6-3, 6-1.

Nadal outplayed the former top-ranked Russian from the start and remains on track to meet Novak Djokovic in the finals Sunday. Djokovic defeated Fernando Verdasco of Spain 6-3, 1-6, 6-1.

"I think I played a really good match," Nadal said. "I'm happy about my level."

Safin plans to retire at the end of this season, and thanked the fans for their support.

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) -- Roger Federer found himself in a serving contest Monday at Wimbledon-and won.

The five-time champion hit 23 aces, never lost serve and advanced to the quarterfinals by beating familiar foil Robin Soderling 6-4, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5).

Federer improved to 11-0 against Soderling, including a victory in the French Open final three weeks ago to complete a career Grand Slam.

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) -- When Roger Federer misfired on an important shot Friday, his knees buckled and he stomped behind the baseline, miffed at his mere mortality.

The moment quickly passed, and Federer advanced to the second week at Wimbledon by beating Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-1.

Federer lost a set for first time this week, with two errant forehands costing him the tiebreaker. That merely extended his Centre Court workout by half an hour.

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) - Robin Soderling has advanced to the second round of Wimbledon by beating Gilles Muller 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-1, 6-2.

The French Open finalist again relied on the big serve and booming forehand that helped him best Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros, hitting 31 aces and saving all eight break points on Monday.

Soderling is an eight-year veteran on the tour but had his big breakthrough when he beat Nadal in the fourth round in Paris. He lost to Roger Federer in straight sets in the final, and could face the Swiss star again in the fourth round here.

Fans at Roland Garros sounded rather surprised Sunday during the French Open men's final. While Roger Federer was getting ready to receive serve from underdog opponent Robin Soderling, a fan ran onto the clay court.

As security descended on the surface to run the guy down, he tried to put a hat on Federer's head. When security got too close for comfort, the man took off running. While it may have been easy to jump on the court, he found it a bit more difficult to get off it. Video after the jump.

PARIS (AP)-Sentimental favorite Roger Federer did not quite follow the script Friday at the French Open. He decided to go for high drama.

Striving to complete a career Grand Slam, Federer came from behind twice in the semifinals to beat big-serving Juan Martin del Potro 3-6, 7-6 (2), 2-6, 6-1, 6-4.

Playing in his fourth consecutive Roland Garros final, Federer will try for his 14th major title to match Pete Sampras' record.

Not to overstate things, but a bomb just dropped right into the heart of everything that makes the world feel normal. Well, the tennis world at least.

Here is something that has never been said before: Rafael Nadal lost at the French Open. He's out. Andy Roddick has been unstoppable at the French, has not lost his serve and not lost a set, and Rafael Nadal is gone.

Never. Been. Spoken.

Thirty-one straight wins there. It was 31-0 for Nadal's career. And he lost Sunday in the fourth round to Robin Soderling 6-2, 6-7 (7-2), 6-4, 7-6 (7-2).

"You need a defeat to give value to your victories," Nadal said.

---

---

PARIS (AP) - Rafael Nadal's unbeaten run at the French Open is over.

The four-time defending champion lost to Robin Soderling of Sweden 6-2, 6-7 (7-2), 6-4, 7-6 (7-2) Sunday 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.

"This is just one more match," Soderling said.