Shoulder scare derails Nadal Wimbledon build-up (Roundup)

By Bill Scott Jun 16, 2006, 18:30 GMT

Rafael Nadal of Spain pictured during the third round match against fellow Spainaird Fernando Verdasco at the The Stella Artois tennis championship at Queens club, London. Thursday June 15th 2006. EPA/DANIEL HAMBURY

London - Double French Open champion Rafael Nadal quit with shoulder pain Friday, suffering his first defeat in nearly three months as he handed a place in the Stella Artois semi-finals to three-time champion Lleyton Hewitt, 3-6, 6-3.

Spain's world number 2 king of clay paid the price for weeks of intensive tennis. His defeat was his first since losing to Carlos Moya in Miami on March 24.

In the interim the world number 2 swept aside every obstacle in his path as he lifted repeat clay titles in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Roma and Roland Garros.

The Spanish top seed took treatment on his powerful left serving shoulder as he trailed Hewitt 1-4 after winning the first set against the three-time champion Australian.

'I felt a lot of pain in the shoulder, starting in the final game of the first set,' said a disappointed Nadal. 'To play more would have been stupid. I spoke with the physio and he said it could get worse if I had continued.

'The balls here are a lot of different than Roland Garros, much heavier. I couldn't continue with my shoulder like this - I feel pain.'

Hewitt will face Tim Henman, a three-time finalist, who booked his first career victory over Russian nemesis Dmitry Tursunov, 6-3, 7-6 (7-1).

'I felt I was getting better as the match was going on,' said Hewitt. 'I felt like the better player out there, but it wasn't really showing on the scoreboard.

'I had a lot of chances and wasn't able to take them.'

The loss was Nadal's fourth this season and gave Hewitt revenge for a fourth-round defeat against the Spaniard in Paris just days ago.

Gael Monfils also failed to complete a match, quitting 1-6 after waking up with a back problem before playing American fifth seed James Blake.

Blake takes on Davis Cup teammate Andy Roddick who is aiming for a fourth consecutive title at the tournament after beating Chile Fernando Gonzalez 6-4, 6-3.

After Grand Slam losses to the California-based Tursunov at Wimbledon a year ago and at the Australian and French Opens this season, victory was a relief for the 31-year-old Henman, now ranked 76th.

'He's beaten me on a couple of big occasions,' said the Briton, who has lost three Queen's finals. 'You never feel like the match is in under control against him.'

Henman says he's relaxed about his chances at age 31, with the four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist just pleased that his form is starting to hit a winning groove.

'I've been under the radar a bit, but I feel good about my game. I've had some good matches lately,' said Henman.

'I've struggled the last few years, but I'm feeling as comfortable as I ever have now. I just hope it can continue.'