Rusedski gunned down on Centre Court

Greg Rusedski's dreams of Wimbledon glory died a painful death on Centre Court this afternoon.

The British number two lost the final set of his protracted fourth-round clash with Belgium's Xavier Malisse in just 32 minutes to bow out of the championships.

The match had been finely poised at two sets all overnight after play was suspended shortly before 9pm on Monday evening, moments after Malisse had taken the fourth set to level the match.

The interruption should have been to Rusedski's advantage as Malisse had threatened to establish control before play was called off for the day.

But the 23rd seed lost his serve when he netted a simple volley in the seventh game, and Malisse held his nerve to complete a 3-6 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4 victory, saving one of two break points with a thumping ace.

Rusedski had comfortably taken the first set yesterday, Malisse complaining vehemently to the umpire at the change of ends about some close line calls that went against him.

That seemed to fire up the 21-year-old and after he had saved a break point to edge back in front, two missed volleys gifted him the break of serve and helped him to a 4-1 lead.

The next three games then went with serve before Malisse had to save three break points before sealing the set on his third set point to take it 6–3 and level the match.

Just when he had worked hard to deservedly get himself back on level terms, he presented Rusedski with a vital break of serve in the early stages of the third set.

A double fault was followed by a simple backhand sliced beyond the baseline and Rusedski was suddenly 3-1 ahead.

With the big serve back in the groove, one break was all he needed and the 28-year-old served out to love to take the set 6-3 and a two sets to one lead.

Rusedski was keen to close out the match before darkness fell, but Malisse refused to follow the script and saved four break points to keep his nose in front.

That proved vital as Rusedski eventually lost his rhythm on serve, a double fault handing Malisse a 5-3 lead and five points later the match essentially boiled down to a one-set showdown.