WIMBLEDON, England — Three-time Wimbledon runner-up Andy Roddick was eliminated 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2), 6-4 Friday by Feliciano Lopez in the third round, the biggest upset of the men's tournament so far.
The 44th-ranked Lopez served 28 aces and piled up 57 winners to defeat Roddick on Centre Court, the American's first loss to the Spanish left-hander in eight matches.
The eighth-seeded Roddick, who lost to Roger Federer in the finals in 2004, '05 and '09, served 16 aces but also had six double-faults. It's the third time in four years Roddick has lost in the early rounds — he went out in the second round in 2008 and the fourth last year.
Lopez, who reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 2005 and 2008, broke Roddick twice and had only seven unforced errors.
The Spaniard had lost to Roddick in all their previous matches, including the Wimbledon tuneup at Queen's Club two weeks ago.
"This was a big win for me," Lopez said. "I played Andy so many times and he always beat me. It was so important for me to win today. Even though he beat me before, to beat him at Wimbledon is the most special. I'm happy to pay him back here on this wonderful court."
