Lopez Ends Nadal's Winning Streak, Plays Fish In SFs

© Getty ImagesFeliciano Lopez had previously not beaten Rafael Nadal in almost seven years.

Feliciano Lopez ended Rafael Nadal's 24-match winning streak on Friday at the AEGON Championships.

Eighth seed Lopez beat his top-seeded Spanish compatriot 7-6(5), 6-4 in one hour and 52 minutes for a place in the semi-finals at The Queen’s Club, venue of the ATP World Tour 250 grass-court tennis tournament.

"Besides my serve, I think I played very solid," said Lopez. "[I was] consistent from the baseline, trying to be aggressive. I knew that that was [the] only way to have a chance today, and I did it. I'm so happy for that."

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Lopez saved five of seven break points and his 12 aces for his first win over Nadal since October 2003 at the Davidoff Swiss Indoors in Basel. Lopez, 28, won his second ATP World Tour title at the SA Tennis Open in Johannesburg (d. Robert) in February.

"He played well," said Nadal. "I think his serve was very good and from the baseline he had very good slice. I just [want to] congratulate him. I think he's playing well and I wish him best of luck to win the tournament."

The 24-year-old Nadal dropped to a 40-5 match record on the season after he suffered his first loss since losing to Andy Roddick in the Sony Ericsson Open semi-finals in Miami.

Five days ago Nadal lifted his fifth Roland Garros title, became the first player to qualify for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in November (buy your tickets) and reclaimed No. 1 in the South African Airways 2010 ATP Rankings.

Looking ahead to Wimbledon, Nadal admitted he hoped he had got enough grass court practise.

"I think I going to have a few days next week at Wimbledon to practice," said Nadal. I [have] played a lot of matches the last few months. My feeling was not bad today, so that's positive. Next week in Wimbledon I [am] going to have more time to practice and to adjust my serve, backhand and movements on the grass."

Lopez will next challenge American Mardy Fish, who completed a three-set win over defending champion Andy Murray earlier today, before dropping 10 points on serve and hitting 11 aces to beat French No. 12 seed Michael Llodra 6-4, 6-4 in 64 minutes.

"I played Feliciano last year here and played really well and beat him in Miami, too," said Fish. "I've won the last couple [of] times we played. I like the spot that I'm in. It's not Nadal, so that's good for me, I guess."