AFP
London, July 2

Greg Rusedski's dream of playing his part in creating an all-British Wimbledon final were crushed by pony-tailed Belgian Xavier Malisse in the fourth round here on Tuesday.

The big-serving Briton, who had been many peoples' favourite not only to set up a final against countryman Tim Henman but to win the trophy, saw his grass court game taken apart by the 21-year-old Belgian.

Malisse's success made him only the second man from his country to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final emulating Filip de Wulf's showing in the 1998 French Open.

Malisse, whose previous best performance here was last year when he made the second round, beat Rusedski 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 after two hours and 36 minutes.

He will now face either the Netherlands' 1996 winner Richard Krajicek or Australia's Mmark Philippoussis for a place in the semi-finals.

Rusedski and Malisse had finished level on Monday night at two sets apiece after two hours and four minutes on court with Malisse twice coming back from a set down against a man who he had beaten the last time they met, indoors at Paris in 2001.

As a result, the fourth round clash effectively became a one-set shoot-out.

On Tuesday, the 21-year-old Belgian grabbed the vital break to lead 4-3 when Rusedski netted an easy volley off a fiery return.

He then enjoyed a comfortable service game to love to lead 5-3 before the Briton pulled back to 5-4.

Malisse then saved a break point as he served for the match with an ace, went to match point when Rusedski netted a forehand before the British player saved himself with a lucky net cord.

Rusedski then earned another break point with a sweet volley but then went back to deuce with a wide forehand.

Another Rusedski error, when he hit a forehand long, set up another match point and this time Malisse was not to be denied as his opponent could only find the net with a return.

Malisse, who has yet to win a title in his short career, had played well late on Monday to defy both his opponent, who was bidding to reach the quarter-finals here for only the second time in ten attempts, as well as the patriotic crowd.

Many people were convinced that Rusedski, a quarter-finalist here in 1997, was in the sort of form to make the final especially having knocked-out 11th seed Andy Roddick of the United States in the third round.

However, Malisse had shown his potential by putting out fifth-seeded Russian Yevgeny Kafelnikov in the last round.