Rafael Nadal, defending champ Andy Murray knocked out in Queen’s Club 3rd round

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Nadal, defending champ Murray out at Queen’s Club

LONDON — Top-seeded Rafael Nadal and defending champion Andy Murray were knocked out of the Queen’s Club tournament on Friday.

Nadal’s grass-court winning streak ended at 14 when he fell to fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 7-6 (5), 6-4. American Mardy Fish ended the run of Murray with a 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (2) victory in a match continued from Thursday.

Fish returned to the court Friday and ousted Michael Llodra of France 6-4, 6-4 to reach the semifinals.

All the top six seeds are out. Nadal and Murray joined No. 2 seed Novak Djokovic, No. 4 Andy Roddick, No. 5 Marin Cilic and No. 6 Gael Monfils in early exits.

Nadal was unable to subdue a lively challenge from Lopez at any stage of the first meeting on grass of the two left-handers. It marked Nadal’s first loss to Lopez since 2003.

“He played well,” Nadal said. “I think his serve was very good, and, you know, from the baseline he has very good slice, and with the forehand he can have a very good shot. I just congratulate him.”

After an exchange of breaks in the opening two games, the first set went to a tiebreaker, which Lopez won when Nadal netted a forehand.

In the second set, Lopez broke to lead 3-2 but Nadal broke him in the next game with a winning return. Nadal then faced two break points at 5-4 and double-faulted to leave Lopez serving for the match.

Nadal reported no problems with the thigh injury that was treated on Thursday, but withdrew from the doubles citing a right hamstring strain. He plans to return to Spain for a few days of relaxation before preparing for Wimbledon.

Murray was upset Thursday when the match was halted at 3-3 in the final set because of fading light.

When they resumed on Friday, each player dropped just one point on serve as the set went to a tiebreaker, which Fish dominated after the first four points had gone against serve.

“Today was a bit of a shootout,” Murray said. “On grass, especially, you play one or two bad points in a tiebreak and it’s done.”

On Thursday, after an appeal by Fish and the intervention of ATP Tour supervisor Tom Barnes, play was suspended. Murray remained on the service line and looked bewildered long after Fish had left the court.