Garcia-Lopez stuns Nadal in Thailand

Spain’s world number one Rafael Nadal fell short on 24 of 26 break point chances yesterday as he lost his Thailand Open semi-final 2-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 to compatriot Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.

The surprise winner, who handed world number one Nadal only his eighth loss of the season against 61 wins and six titles, will today face Jarkko Nieminen of Finland, who beat German Benjamin Becker 6-3, 6-2 in their semi-final.

Nadal, winner of the last three Grand Slam titles and this season’s dominant player, was frustrated by his 53rd-ranked opponent, who won his only title in 2009 on clay in Kitzbuehel.

“This is a tough loss to take,” said Nadal, who moves on to an event in Tokyo this week to continue his Asian tour.

“I had a chance to reach another final and maybe win another title. But it was not to be. That is the sport and this was not my day.

“I was unable to take my chances. You have to convert more if you have 26 break points. I congratulate him. He played better than I did today.”

Nadal dominated the opening set and looked to be in good shape after Garcia-Lopez received treatment for various aches and pains at the end of the third game in the second set.

“I’m still in shock from this win,” said Garcia-Lopez, who has lost two previous ATP matches to Nadal. “I’ve never beaten a number one, and especially not Nadal. This has to be my greatest win.”

Garcia-Lopez said he had no idea how he would fare against three-time semi-finalist Nieminen.

“Maybe I’ll do fine but maybe I won’t be able to put one ball on the court. We will just have to see.”

Wozniacki wins

World number two Caroline Wozniacki saw off Elena Dementieva in a tough battle to win the Pan Pacific Open women’s tennis tournament yesterday.

The Danish top seed, who crashed out in her opening matches in her previous two visits to Tokyo, made it third time lucky with a 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory over the Beijing Olympic gold medallist from Russia.

“I knew it’s going to be a tough match. We always have tough matches, but right now I’m just so happy, I won another tournament, my 11th, so I’m really happy to be in Japan,” said Wozniacki.