Murray is dethroned and Nadal is unable to reign

Only Nadal of the tournament's top five players reached the quarter-finals after Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick and Marin Cilic succumbed on Thursday.

Added to the list of high-profile casualties yesterday were Murray, who saw his third-round tie with Mardy Fish end in a 4-6 6-1 6-7 (2/7) defeat, and world No 1 Nadal who was stunned 6-7 (5/7) 4-6 by Feliciano Lopez in his last-eight encounter.

Home interest was brought to a shuddering halt when Murray crumbled in the match-deciding tie-break, his strokeplay deserting him amid a succession of errors.

The match resumed at 12.30 pm yesterday after being controversially abandoned on Thursday night because of bad light with the decisive set locked at 3-3.

Murray had pegged back a 3-0 deficit and the British No 1 and third seed was angered that proceedings were halted, a theme that resurfaced yesterday when he suggested technology should be used to make the decision.

"Everyone was talking about light metres at the French Open. A light reading might take some controversy out of the sport," he said.

"The decision that it's not light enough should not be made by one person.

"Most of the time common sense prevails, but I think sometimes it would be good to have a light reading.

"In the past I've said to the supervisor that it's too dark to play and he's replied that it seems fine.

"But it's a lot easier when you're watching and not playing to say that. When someone's serving 140mph, it's very difficult."

Murray's preparations for Wimbledon, which starts on Monday week, have been confined to two matches at Queen's and the 23-year-old is considering squeezing in an exhibition appearance before SW19.

But despite his lack of exposure to play on grass, he has not lowered his ambitions for the All England Club.

"I'd have liked to have had a couple more matches, but I've gone into Wimbledon in previous years and played well despite not having played many games," he said.

"I'm sure that come Wimbledon I'll be doing a lot better than I was here, having had 10 days more playing on the surface.

"Whether everybody thinks I'm going to win Wimbledon or not, I'll try my best to win. I have a chance of doing it if I play very well."

Nadal, carrying a minor hamstring injury, viewed his loss to fellow Spaniard and doubles partner Lopez as a chance to recharge his batteries in time for SW19.

Following Murray's dramatic exit earlier in the afternoon, Nadal was the last surviving big name only for his 24-match winning run to come to an end against the impressive Lopez.

"I will know in one week if I'm ready for Wimbledon. I'm ready to go home and enjoy some time with my friends and family," said the French Open champion from Mallorca.

"I haven't spent a week at home since March so it will be a positive thing for me to be there and enjoy the Mallorcan weather.

"Sure, it was disappointing to lose (yesterday), but at the same time being at home next week will give me great motivation for Wimbledon.

"I won't practice this weekend, maybe I'll play some golf and watch the World Cup."

Lopez will meet Fish in the semi-finals after the American overcame Michael Llodra of France 6-4 6-4.

American Sam Query will meet Rainer Schuettler in the second semi-final after dispatching Xavier Malisse 6-2 7-5.

Schuettler of Germany prevailed 7-5 6-4 against Israel's Dudi Sela.

Roger Federer stayed on course to win a sixth Halle title after a straight-sets win over Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber in the quarter-finals of the Gerry Weber Open.

The world No 2 and reigning Wimbledon champion set up victory by going on a five-game winning streak from 5-5 in the opening set, and eventually prevailed 7-5 6-3.

Federer will take on another home hope, Philipp Petzschner, in the semi-finals.

The other last-four tie will also feature a German, with Benjamin Becker taking on Australian Lleyton Hewitt.

Hewitt reached his first semi-final of the season thanks to a 7-6 (7/0) 6-1 win over Andreas Beck. Becker's match against his compatriot Mischa Zverev followed a similar pattern, with a tight first set followed by a one-sided second as the 28-year-old came through 7-6 (7/4) 6-0.