Federer upset by Soderling at French Open

There will be a Grand Slam semifinal without Roger Federer for the first time in six 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, and 6-4. That ended Federer's record streak of reaching the semifinals in 23 consecutive major events.



The shocker was the second pulled off by Soderling in as many years at Roland Garros. He ended the reign of four-time champion 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.



Federer beat Soderling in last year's final.



The Swede's opponent Friday will be Number 15 seed Tomas Berdych, who beat Number 11 Mikhail Youzhny 6-3, 6-1, 6-2.



Meanwhile, Francesca Schiavone became the first Italian woman to reach the French Open semifinals since 1954 by beating Number 3 seed Caroline Wozniacki 6-2, 6-3 today.



Schiavone's opponent on Thursday will be Number 5 seed Elena Dementieva, who rallied past fellow Russian Nadia Petrova, 2-6, 6-2, 6-0. The showing is Dementieva's best at Roland Garros since 2004, when she was runner-up.