体坛英语资讯：Nadal eliminated, other top-4 seeds through at Shanghai Masters

Top seed Rafael Nadal of Spain was beaten 1-6, 6-3, 3-6 by Jurgen Melzer from Austria at 2010 Shanghai Masters on Thursday, while other three top-4 seeds won straight sets to get into the last eight.

Rafael Nadal wasn't unbeatable, and Melzer became another prover of the theorem by handing the world number one Spaniard the ninth defeat of the season on Thursday.

The 29-year-old lefthander stroke 14 aces to close the third-round match 6-1, 3-6, 6-4, clinching his first-ever victory over his five-year-younger opponent, who only served one ace.

"A lot of joy and a lot of happiness. I mean, it's such a pressure coming off," said the 13th seed after keeping the world number one away from the quarterfinal. "It's just a great relief going through your body, all those emotions. But it's tough to explain."

"I think the key was to put a lot of pressure on him. You cannot let him play his game."

"So I tried to take the ball early. I was serving really well, especially on big moments. I executed my game plan, which was putting a lot of pressure," said Melzer, talking about his code of the big victory.

Nadal, a little disappointed, congratulated his rival after the match.

"It's true. He played very aggressive," said Nadal. "Just congratulate him and that's it."

Melzer, who reached his career peak in this October, entered the stadium as the underdog, but he found himself 3-1 leading after breaking Nadal in the fourth game. Nadal couldn't figure out a right way to resist the powerful serves from the other side of the court, losing the first set 1-6.

The left-handed Spaniard got back his form in the second set, breaking to close out the second set 6-3.

Both players made their effort in the deciding set. Melzer maintained his high-level serves, and then stole Nadal's third service game to move up 4-2.

Nadal made the final struggle when he was down 2-5, saving three match points to change the score 3-5. However, Melzer's serves were too strong for Nadal to break. The 13th seed seized the fourth match point and ended the match 6-3.

Second seed Novak Djokovic of Serbia beat Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-1, 6-1. Roger Federer of Switzerland, seed third eased past Italian Andreas Seppi, 6-3, 6-4.

Number four Andy Murray of Britain nailed a spot in the London ATP Finals by defeating Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-4 at Shanghai Masters.

"It feels great to qualify for London," said the 23-year-old Scotch after the match. "It's really a tough match. He served very well, and I'm glad to come through to the next round."

Having rested for enough time, Murray didn't feel tired although he experienced a "tough match".

Murray increased his winning record of the season to 38 after claiming the match, moving one step closer to his second title of ATP1000 Maters in 2010.

The top British tennis player met problems on his serves at the beginning of the match, trailing 15-40 to offer his opponent two break points. Thanks to his quick adjustment, Murray saved both points to get over the opening crisis.

After the first game, Murray knocked down for straight points to accomplish a break and set a 3-0 lead afterwards. Neither of them were about to finish another break in the first set and Murray finished the set 6-3.

Chardy held the first three service games in the second set, but failed to keep the fourth. Murray seized the chance to get a 5-3 lead, and then closed out the match 6-4.