Roland Garros '09: Rafael Nadal Down and Out in Paris

Did anyone else notice that the Earth shifted as a major monument crumbled onto the red clay of Roland Garros?  

Rafael Nadal lost in the fourth round of the French Open today to Swedish enigma Robin Soderling.  

It was a match of such magnitude that the articles about it will flood media outlets around the world. Nothing else that happens in tennis today will matter.

It is safe to say that Rafael Nadal's unbeaten streak at the French Open is over.

The four-time defending champion lost to Robin Soderling of Sweden 6-2, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 7-6 (2) in the fourth round, ending his record 31-match winning streak at Roland Garros.

To say that Soderling played the match of his life in defeating the world No. 1 is so far an understatement that it hardly merits mentioning.  

Soderling, seeded 23rd at this year's tournament, wore out Nadal running him all over center court in pursuit of Soderling’s blistering serves and lethal forehands.   

Nadal had totally dominated the French Open since his first match on the red clay of Roland Garros. He had lost only seven sets in his 31 previous matches—the last one coming against Roger Federer in the 2007 final.

On Sunday Soderling was a player of another magnitude, with the 24-year-old producing an unequalled service game and a seeming unending penetrating and accurate forehand. It forced Nadal to scramble, eternally searching for firm footing and a way into the match. 

When Nadal lost the first set, the crowd remained restrained and unsure. His first set loss was the first time he had dropped a set in the tournament since the 2007 final against Federer, ending a run of 32 in a row.

Nadal and Soderling have a poor relationship and could never be accused of being friendly. They spit accusations at each other after a Wimbledon clash two years ago.  

In fact, Nadal was set back on his heels from the outset at the hands of a man whom he'd accused of being one of the most unpopular players in the locker room.

Soderling broke Nadal in the fourth game, as the 23rd seed went to 4-1 and critically again in the eighth as the unintimidated Swede found corners with convincing and superlative accuracy.

Robin Soderling righteously took the opening set when the champion netted a backhand.

Nadal fought back resolutely while under continuous assault by the Swede—obviously rattled and obviously dumbfounded. Nadal broke for the first time to lead 2-1 in the second set only to give back the break in the 10th game. 

Most expected Nadal to leave the big Swede in the dust; but Soderling executed a fine backhand volley to go to 5-5.

The second set headed into a tiebreaker.

Despite Soderling’s incredible shot-making, Nadal ran away with the tiebreaker to level the match when, unexpectedly, Soderling's forehand missed its target and flew long.

While the rest of the world expected the Spaniard to right the ship and get on with the victory, the Swede, refused to yield, breaking to lead 4-3 before backing it up for a 5-3 advantage in the third set.

He took the third set when Rafa netted another weak forehand off yet another deep Soderling drive.

Determined, Nadal broke to lead 2-0 in the fourth set, but Soderling hit back immediately. As the set wore on it seemed another tiebreak was inevitable.  

The astounding and brazen Swede clinched his undoubtedly most famous win on a second match point when Nadal missed wide. 

Soderling’s reward is a matchup with Russian 10th seed Nikolay Davydenko, who unexpectedly took out Fernando Verdasco, the eighth-seeded Spaniard for a place in the semi-finals.

Sunday's denouement will no doubt please Roger Federer, who has lost the last three finals to Nadal, and who still needs a French Open to complete a career Grand Slam.

He plays his fourth round match on Monday against Germany's Tommy Haas.