Federer crashes out

Wimbledon legend Roger Federer crashed out of the tournament in a shock quarter-final defeat to Tomas Berdych yesterday, blowing open the draw for Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray.

The Swiss defending champion, who had been gunning for a record-equalling seventh Wimbledon singles title, was beaten 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 by Czech 12th seed Berdych on Centre Court, where Federer has ruled the roost for the best part of a decade.

The top seed's downfall means Djokovic, Nadal and Murray will all feel their chances of claiming the Wimbledon crown have been greatly improved.

World number one Nadal booked his place in the semi-finals by coming from behind to beat Swedish sixth seed Robin Soderling 3-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-1.

Serbian third seed Djokovic, who has reached the semi-finals just once before, beat Taiwan's Lu Yen-Hsun 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 on Court One to book his spot in the last four and British fourth seed Andy Murray registered a 6-7, 7-6, 6-2, 6-2 win over France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Berdych, the first Czech man to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals since Ivan Lendl in 1990, said he could hardly believe he had put out the world number two on his stomping ground.

"It's amazing to play in this stadium, to play such a great player as Roger is and come here and be a winner, this is really amazing for me," he said.

"If I go through my career, I think it was so far the toughest game to serve and close out the match."

The defeat will come as a devastating blow to Federer. It will be the first time since 2002 that he has not made the final at the All England Club.

Berdych faces Djokovic in the semi-finals.

Nadal recovered from an early setback against Soderling to win their quarter-final on Court One, using a dispute with the umpire over a line call to fire himself up and turn the match around.

In a re-run of the French Open final earlier this month, Nadal triumphed again.

"I am feeling great. For me, another time in the semi-finals of this tournament is a dream," the second seed said.

"I always try my best and I think I am playing better and better every day. In my opinion there is no one favourite right now in the tournament."

On Court One, Lu had put out three-times beaten finalist Andy Roddick to get through to the last eight - the best-ever Grand Slam performance by a Taiwanese player - but was no match for the in-form Djokovic.

"The way I have played I think I deserve to win. I was hitting all the shots and I was really playing very solid from all parts of the court so I'm very, very happy with the performance," the Serb said.

"I sincerely hope to continue with this level of my game. The way I have been playing match after match is very encouraging.

"I've nothing really to lose in the semi-finals."