Soderling Bounces Defending Champ Federer

There will be a Grand Slam semifinal without Roger Federer for the first time in 6 years. French Open upset specialist Robin Soderling struck again today, rallying past defending champion Federer in a rainy quarterfinal, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4. That ended Federer's record streak of reaching the semifinals in 23 consecutive major events.

The shocker was Soderling's second in as many years at Roland Garros. He ended the reign of four-time champ Rafael Nadal in the fourth round a year ago, clearing the path for Federer to win his first French Open title and complete a career Grand Slam. "It cannot be much better," Soderling told the crowd after his latest center-court stunner. "It's great to play on this court. It's for sure my favorite Grand Slam." (More French Open stories.)