Nadal upset by Garcia-Lopez in Thailand Open semis

NONTHABURI, Thailand (AP) Rafael Nadal was knocked out of the Thailand Open on Saturday, losing 2-6, 7-6 (3), 6-3 to 53rd-ranked Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in an all-Spanish semifinal.

Fresh off his U.S. Open victory for a career Grand Slam, the sport's No. 1 player was undone by Garcia-Lopez's string of winners and flat, wide serves that included 10 aces.

It's a difficult loss to accept,'' Nadal said. It's one of those matches you are going to lose once every two years.''

Added Garcia-Lopez: ``Everything was fantastic. For the moment, I'm a bit shocked.''

On Sunday, Garcia-Lopez will play his second ATP final of the season. He will face 60th-ranked Jarkko Nieminen of Finland, who beat Benjamin Becker of Germany 6-3, 6-2.

Nadal was trying to win his seventh tournament of the year. Signs of trouble emerged in the second set when Garcia-Lopez started dictating important shots. At one stage, he whipped a groundstroke deep to the Spaniard's backhand and forced him to throw his racket in an unsuccessful attempt to reach the ball.

He played a great match, especially in the third,'' Nadal said. I had a great chance to be in the final. I have to blame myself that I didn't play aggressive when I had a chance to break. He served well on break points. I lost chance after chance.''

Nadal was playing his first tournament since winning the U.S. Open and becoming the seventh man to complete a career Grand Slam. He is to play next at the Shanghai Masters, beginning Oct. 10.

Garcia-Lopez rode his momentum through the third set, applying pressure and forcing errors by Nadal, who converted only two of 26 break-point opportunities.

I've never beaten a No. 1 player in the world,'' Garcia-Lopez said. I think this is the best victory in my career.''

Nieminen reached his first final of the year with sharp groundstrokes and an accurate first serve.

I feel great,'' Nieminen said. I haven't been in a final for a while, the last time was in Sydney 2009.''

The Finn has not dropped a set in his run to the final, including wins over No. 7-seeded Viktor Troicki in the second round and No. 3-seeded Jurgen Melzer in the quarterfinals.