Nadal Ousted in Halle as Dimitrov Reaches Queens Semis

By Erik Gudris

Photo Credit: Carmen Jaspersen/AFP/GettyImages

(June 15, 2012) Rafael Nadal's preparations for Wimbledon ended earlier than expected as he fell for the first time against local favorite Philipp Kohlschreiber in Halle. Meanwhile, at the rain plagued Queen's Club event, Grigor Dimitrov broke through to reach his first ever ATP Tour semifinal.

Nadal Falls as Federer Outlasts Raonic in Halle

Defending Gerry Weber Open champion Philipp Kohlschreiber had never beaten top seed Rafael Nadal in their eight previous meetings, but perhaps spurred on by the German fans in Halle, Kohlschreiber put up a stellar performance against the French Open champion. Kohlschreiber jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first set against a sluggish looking Nadal. But it was the German's steady game plan of hitting a big serve followed by a big groundstroke winner that proved the key difference in the match.

After serving out the first set, Kohlschreiber fought back early in the second set from being down 0-40 on his serve to eventually hold for 2-all. Kohlschreiber earned a vital break of serve with a backhand return that Nadal netted, giving the German a 4-3 lead. Kohlschreiber maintained his high winner count as he hit 11 forehand winners compared to Nadal's 7 for the match. Nadal managed to close within 30-all down 4-5 in the final set, but a netted backhand from Nadal on the first match point gave Kohlschreiber a 6-3, 6-4 win to reach the semifinals.

The match of the day between No. 2 seed Roger Federer and No. 5 seed Milos Raonic turned into yet another serving shootout similar to their previous matches this year at Indian Wells and Madrid. With the average rally length in the first set being only two shots and with neither man breaking serve, the set came down to a tiebreak with Raonic taking the early advantage off of a forehand error from Federer. Raonic with the help of two more big serves then sealed the first set.

But Federer struck back early in the second set by breaking the Canadian in the opening game. Federer held onto his break advantage and served out the set 6-4. The third set, though having the occasional rally, again became a serving contest with Raonic and Federer holding comfortably to force a final tiebreak. With the help of a forceful return, Federer earned the first mini-break at 3-2 and later assured himself of victory with a forehand passing shot to go up 6-2. Federer closed out the match with a volley winner to earn a 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 win.

Federer will next meet Mikhail Youzhny in the semifinals who defeated Radek Stepanek 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

Dimitrov Reaches First Ever ATP Tour Semifinals at Queen's Club

Rain delays continued to plague the Aegon Championships in London, but the rain may have changed the fortunes of several players hoping to reach the semifinals.

After having their match halted last night due to the rain. No. 3 seed Janko Tipsarevic and Yen-Hsun Lu ended up going to a final set tiebreak this morning that went the way of Lu as he upset Tipsarevic 6-3, 3-6, 7-6. But Lu wasn't able to savor the victory for long as he was back out on court a few hours later to play his quarterfinal match against No. 6 seed Marin Cilic. After Cilic took the first set, Lu suffered a leg injury and was forced to retire down 6-4, 2-0.

Cilic will now face 2010 champion Sam Querrey in the semifinals after the American took out Ivan Dodig 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.

Another player who benefited from yet another rain delay was Grigor Dimitrov who dropped his serve to hand No. 9 seed Kevin Anderson the first set in their match. But after enduring two rain delays in the second set, it was a more composed Dimitrov who took control of the match as he took the second set and then survived 15 aces from Anderson to then finally break Anderson in the final game to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 and with it reached his first ever ATP Tour semifinal.

Waiting for Dimitrov in the semifinals will be veteran David Nalbandian who himself had to complete two matches today first by defeating Edouard Roger-Vasselin 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 and then turn around to defeat another veteran in Xavier Malisse 4-6, 7-6, 6-4.