Three of the top five seeds failed to survive at the Queen's Club grass-court championships on Thursday (June 10). Fourth seed Andy Roddick made his earliest exit in nine years from the tournament when he was ousted in straight sets in the third round by 14th-seeded Dudi Sela of Israel. Also out of the event - second seed Novak Djokovic and fifth seed Marin Cilic.
Top seed Rafael Nadal's through though, after weathering a fierce challenge from Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan and reaching the quarterfinals with a 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-4 victory.
The top seed came up against a stubborn Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan. After Nadal edged the first set in a tiebreaker, Istomin took the second with a break in the opening game.
In the decider, Nadal served for the match at 5-3 and held two match points, and although Istomin broke him, the Spaniard earned the victory on his third match point by breaking his opponent with a forehand winner - 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-4 the outcome. Joining Nadal in the last eight - Dudi Sela.
The Brazilian caused a major upset, ousting fourth seed Andy Roddick. The four-times Queen's champion and three-times Wimbledon runner-up was outplayed by Sela.
Ranked 63 in the world, Sela had an answer to everything the American could throw at him as he recorded a 6-4, 7-6 (8) victory in which he offered up just one break point opportunity. Roddick was understandably disappointed but gracious in defeat.
"I think I could have done some things differently but I thought he played a pretty perfect match. I have played worse at this tournament before and gotten through and won it before. So for me ... I feel fine about the way I am hitting the ball and constructing points. I thought he played a really good match and outplayed me out there", said Roddick.
Serbian second seed Novak Djokovic was another big name faller, losing to Belgium's Xavier Malisse 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. Third-seeded Andy Murray was also staring at an early exit.
After dropping the first set 4-6, the Scot bounced back to take the next 6-1. But he quickly trailed American Mardy Fish 3-0 in the final set. The Scot fought back to 3-3 when play was suspended because of poor light. Both will have to come back tomorrow.
