In an upset no one saw coming, Prince of the Clay Court, Rafael Nadal, was beaten Sunday in the 4th round of the Frech Open.

23rd-ranked Robin Soderling defeated the top-ranked Nadal in four sets 6-2, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 7-6 (2). The loss snapped Nadal’s 31-match winning streak at the French, a tournament record.

The loss is even more stunning when you consider Nadal’s complete dominance–he had only lost 7 sets during his winning streak. Incroyable!

This development is trending as tennis fans are in a state of Twitter turmoil-

1. 
   Sparksgrandma unbelievable! Nadal is gone from the French Open? now what? 31 May 2009 from web
2. 
   HeyKamy Oh no! What happened to Nadal? He’s OUT! The spice of French Open is out! Why does it have to be Soderling? No Fed-Nadal match 31 May 2009 from web
3. 
   JessWeingert I can’t believe that Nadal lost!! And in the 4th Round!!!! I’m in utter shock!! 31 May 2009 from web
4. 
   jeanbean88 Nadal out at the French Open! My mind has been blown. This is what happens when you start wearing shirts with sleeves. 31 May 2009 from web
5. 
   Jeffrey_Stewart :::WOW:::Nadal is out @Roland_Garros…Speechless…RF Come On!!!!! 31 May 2009 from web
6. 
   alycupcakes how the hell did nadal lose the french open? whatever he’s still the best. 31 May 2009 from web

With the big-gunned one out, this opens the door for Roger Federer to finally win the French, the one major that has eluded him. This idea has tennis twitterers tweeting gleefully:

1. 
   dekenter Nadal is out! The stars have aligned, this is Fed’s year! 31 May 2009 from web
2. 
   jonlui Nadal is out. This is your year Federer… time to complete the career grand slam 31 May 2009 from web
3. 
   Lori_Len Absolutely ecstatic that Robin Soderling kicked Rafael Nadal’s butt today! Now the Championship is Roger’s to win!!! Happy Happy Joy Joy. 31 May 2009 from web
4. 
   Rachael90210 Nadal is out of the French Open? Aw man, he’s the good looking one isn’t he? Or is that Fed? 31 May 2009 from web
5. 
   mahogany_soul so glad that nadal lost at the french open. onward, federer! 31 May 2009 from web
6. 
   anikhare Though Federer might have his best shot ever at the French Open, I regret I’ll miss the usual grand finale. 31 May 2009 from web

I had to throw in tweets from Justin Gimelstob, who is broadcasting the French Open for the Tennis Channel. His tweets mirror the reaction of most everyone in the tennis world over Nadal’s loss:

1. 
   justingimelstob this changes everything….I am in shock..all credit to Soderling, he TOOK the match, NADAL played defensively and tentatively 31 May 2009 from web
2. 
   justingimelstob For once in my life i am speechless…that’s what Nadal losing here did 2 me 31 May 2009 from web
3. 
   justingimelstob it’s killing me we can’t talk about NADAL’s loss,biggest upset in years.I feel like we need Al Michaels to yell “DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES” 31 May 2009 from web

Nadal and Soderling battle it out on Roland Garros’ clay as seen by a Twitterer:

There will be a new French Open champion this year

(Twitpic by @stijnjacobs)

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