Dethroned

Upsets do not come bigger than this.

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We all know that I am a raging Roger Federer fan, and that this result is presumably going to be to his advantage, but my heart broke for Rafael Nadal today. To go out in a fashion so... well, ignominious would not be too strong a word - to a man whom it is well known that he dislikes. To be dethroned in his kingdom, Court Philippe Chatrier, in such a manner, is truly tragic.

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"This is not a tragedy, losing here in Paris," Rafa said after the match. Personally, I beg to differ. I think it is very sad for the sport to see one of our great champions humbled thus. I know Rafa needs to believe that it is not a tragedy, otherwise what point would there be in fighting on? but as a spectator at the French Open, I feel cheated.

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Rafa didn't really turn up today. He's not as polarised as David Nalbandian, but he does have an alter ego (whom I have christened 'Shmafa'.) Shmafa doesn't suck - he'd still be in the top ten, if such things could be quantified - but on the wrong day, in the wrong conditions... sometimes a Soderling is waiting in the wings.

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Full credit to Soderling. He played incredibly well today - I don't know how he'll ever equal that performance in his career again. It was simply outstanding. But if Rafa had been at his best, I don't know if it would have mattered. Rafa at his best is pretty much untouchable - the only players you would even give the glimpse of a chance are Roger Federer, playing to the utmost of his ability, and maybe the Marat Safin of a few years ago who was totally lethal. Soderling played amazingly, but he's no Rafa. The match was on Rafa's racquet. And he let it fall.

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It's pretty early in the morning here now, but I can't sleep. Rafael Nadal dethroned at Roland Garros - by Robin Soderling. It is as if we have entered the Land of Misrule, when all things are inverted - when the night becomes day, the servant becomes the master, when Soderling beats Nadal. It's just... it sounds like crazy talk.

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I don't even want to talk about the effect this could have on the rest of the draw, because I'm afraid of jinxing it, so let's talk about the women instead. Another '08 Roland Garros champion went out today - Ana Ivanovic, who fell to Victoria Azarenka. Azarenka will now play Safina in the quarters, and what a cracker of a match that should be. Safina was imperious over Rezai today, giving up only one game - making for a grand total of five games surrendered in four matches, which is just stupid. I think Azarenka can get a few more... maybe three. Four if she's really lucky. But it's all Dinara, all the way.

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Props to Maria Sharapova for gritting out a win against Li Na to put herself in the quarter finals, where she'll face little Dominika Cibulkova, which should be a good one. Other winners today include Gonzalez and Murray, who will play another interesting quarter final, and Nikolay Davydenko, who will play Rafa.

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Oh, wait. No he won't.

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In shock. Rafa at Roland Garros is the safest bet in tennis. This is just... there aren't even words. Surreal, perhaps, might come close, but not close enough.

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Today's Results

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French Open (Roland Garros)

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Men's Draw

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Robin Soderling def. Rafael Nadal, 6-2 6-7 (2-7) 6-4 7-6 (7-2)

Fernando Gonzalez def. Victor Hanescu, 6-2 6-4 6-2

Nikolay Davydenko def. Fernando Verdasco, 6-2 6-2 6-4

Andy Murray def. Marin Cilic, 7-5 7-6 (7-4) 6-1

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Women's Draw

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Dinara Safina def. Aravane Rezai, 6-1 6-0

Maria Sharapova def. Na Li, 6-4 0-6 6-4

Victoria Azarenka def. Ana Ivanovic, 6-2 6-3

Dominika Cibukova def. Agnes Szavay, 6-2 6-4