Federer stunned by Soderling

Lightning struck twice for Robin Soderling at the French Open on Tuesday night as the giant-killing Swede stunned defending champion Roger Federer to reach the semi-finals.

Soderling, who last year produced one of the biggest upsets in grand slam history when he became the first man to beat Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros, followed that feat by ending Federer's run of 23 consecutive last-four appearances in majors.

It was very much unlucky 13 for the Swiss, who had won all 12 of his previous meetings with Soderling but went down 3-6 6-3 7-5 6-4 in a rain-hit match lasting two-and-a-half hours on Philippe Chatrier Court.

Federer took the second of two break points in game eight of the first and duly served out the set.

It looked ominous for the Swede in the second set when he was forced to save break point in his first service game but he then stunned the world number one to move 2-0 ahead.

Federer - who had not dropped a set all tournament - had plenty of time to break back. But he was never close to doing so as a confident Soderling shook off the onset of rain and a slight wobble serving for the set to level the match.

At 5-5 in the second set Federer questioned the worsening conditions at 15-15 in game 11, before Soderling joined in at 30-15 down, meaning play was suspended for one hour and 16 minutes.

When play resumed at 6.53pm local time, Federer collapsed, a double fault handing Soderling break point, which he converted with aplomb. The Swede then shook off a controversial overrule to take a two-sets-to-one lead with an ace.

Play was halted again at 3-3 in the third due to heavy rain but the players stayed on court and the break was only four minutes. The hiatus seemed to affect Federer the most and he faced three break points, yelling "Come on!" after saving the third.

The top seed's game was disintegrating and a backhand error in game eight gifted Soderling the chance to serve for the match. And, in keeping with his performance, the Swede made no mistake.