Federer's long run comes to an end

Roger Federer crashed out of Roland Garros at the quarter-final stage last night as Robin Soderling finally got one over him and progressed to a semi-final meeting with Thomas Berdych.

Federer was surprisingly a little out of sorts, but full credit where credit is due to Soderling. He played a great match, didn't panic after losing the opening set, and hit some solid shots when he needed to. It is not easy to beat a 16-time Grand Slam champion, so I congratulate Soderling for pulling it off.

My interest in the French Open has now completely evaporated and all I can hope for is for Soderling to give Nadal another good trashing in the final!

This result also saw an end to Federer's mind-boggling run of 23 consecutive Grand Slam semi-finals. Afterwards he found time to joke with the reporters about now going for the consecutive quarter-finals record!

Yes it is difficult to 'digest', as Federer put it, any defeat, and I'm always very sad when The Great Man loses. I don't like to see him lose. But Federer always loses with dignity and praises his opponents efforts, which sets him well apart from players such as the revolting Andy Murray. There are no excuses. The weather, the damp conditions, rain showers, are no excuse at all. I happily confess that Soderling played better on the day and fully deserves his crack at reaching a second consecutive Roland Garros final.

But watch Roger go at Wimbledon!