Saturday, August 19 2006 11:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Cincinnati: Unseeded Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero buries the prospect of a star-studded finale to the ATP Cincinnati Masters by eliminating compatriot Rafael Nadal in their quarter-final clash here Friday (18 Aug, 2006).

Ferrero dominates Nadal 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/3) after play has been interrupted by rain and will now play the winner from Croatian Ivan Ljubicic and another Spaniard, seventh seed Tommy Robredo.

Briton Andy Murray has shocked top seed Roger Federer in the second round two days ago, ending the Swiss player's 55-match win streak on North American hardcourt surface.

Elimination of two-time Roland Garros champion Nadal means that for the first time since the 2005 Australian Open final, won by Marat Safin, neither Federer nor Nadal will challenge to win an event in which both were entered.

The significance of that scenario does not escape Ferrero.

"This result is important for me, mentally I'm very strong now," says Ferrero.

"This is a special win against one of the best players in the world."

Over the past 15 tournaments in which both played, either Federer or Nadal had lifted the trophy.

Nadal cannot hide his disappointment.

"I've improved a lot since Toronto," says Nadal, beaten in the third round last week by Tomas Berdych.

"That's important for sure." "But I'm disappointed, it was a good opportunity for me for play a good tournament here. My expectations were a bit higher than the quarter-finals."

Ferrero, whose skills on hardcourt propels him to the 2003 US Open final against Andy Roddick, becomes only the second Spaniard over the past three seasons to eliminate Nadal.

The last to do it is Carlos Moya last March in the second round at Miami.

"I felt comfortable on the court, I was very calm," adds Ferrero.

"I was fighting hard all the time. "

"I've been playing at a high level against this week."

Ferrero holds his nerve against Nadal's famed shotmaking, putting the 20-year-old under pressure in a match, which ends on Nadal's 29th unforced error after two hours, 19 minutes.

Spain's David Ferrer, seeded tenth, and Chile's Fernando Gonzalez, the number 13 were also squaring off. 2003 champion Andy Roddick is facing Murray for a final four place.

Nadal dominates his senior compatriot through four wins during the 2005 season, but Ferrero dredges up memories of his glory days as world No. 1 three years ago to take a memorable victory.

The match is interrupted for 32 minutes due to rain with Ferrero leading a set and 5-4. When they come back on court, Nadal serves through the pressure and into the afternoon's second tiebreaker. Nadal hasn't won a title since Roland Garros in June, but still stands 13-4 during that period, including a runner-up showing at Wimbledon to Federer.

The 26-year-old Ferrero has won more than three matches in a week for the first time since April in Barcelona.