TORONTO (CP) _ Tomas Berdych has become the spoiler of the $2.45-million US Rogers Cup ATP tennis tournament.

The 20-year-old Czech stung Canadian fans when he knocked off local favourite Daniel Nestor in the first round, and he ruined the chance of a Sunday final between the world's top two players when he knocked off No. 2 Rafael Nadal of Spain 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 in the third round Thursday.

He's only doing his job, he says. If some fans don't like it, tough.

``I don't care what the people say or what they want,'' he said. ``I'm here to play my best tennis.

``I have to say that I'm happy that I can beat all of the players. That's my reason for going to every tournament. If it's in the first round and the guy from Canada then in the next few rounds I beat the second player in the world, for me that's perfect. Maybe not for the spectators, but that's their problem.''

Bravo.

The six-foot-five, up-and-comer has the right attitude. Besides, he suggests, constant Nadal-Roger Federer finals _ and there have been plenty this year _ might start to bore fans.

``I think it's good that there will be a different final,'' he said. ``I hope I can win a couple more matches and be with Roger in the final.''

No. 1 Federer of Switzerland was expected to gain the quarter-finals in a meeting with Dmitry Tursunov of Russia later Thursday.

Berdych, seeded 13th, totally frustrated Nadal, who was more erratic than usual. He had a tactic: Nadal likes long rallies so Berdych tried to keep them short, and it worked.

Nadal's 2006 match record going in was 43-5. He'd won five tournaments, and was the defending Rogers Cup champion. Berdych was 29-17 with no championships, but Berdych had beaten Nadal in their previous meeting last year in Cincinnati so was confident he could do it again.

``I was attacking every single shot,'' he said. ``I was putting a lot of pressure on him.''

Berdych is rabid hockey fan and has met Jaromir Jagr and many of the other NHL players from his homeland. Because Dominik Hasek helped Detroit win the Stanley Cup, he roots for the Red Wings, and he's happy The Dominator is returning to the Motor City.

Berdych will be returning to the Rexall Place courts against Richard Gasquet of France, who got past Fernando Verdasco of Spain 6-0, 4-6, 6-2 in a battle of unseeded players.

Fernando Gonzalez of Chile, the 15th seed, reached the quarters in a 6-4, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3) thriller over fourth-seeded Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia and will next play Jose Acasuso of Argentina, who defeated Julien Benneteau of France 6-3, 7-6 (4).

The elimination of Ljubicic left Federer as the only player among the top 12 seeds still in the tournament.

The Federer-Tursunov will advance against Xavier Malisse of Belgium, who defeated Thomas Johansson of Sweden 7-6 (7), 6-3.

Andy Murray of Britain eliminated Carlos Moya of Spain 6-2, 6-4 and advances against Jarkko Nieminen of Finland, who edged Davide Sanguinetti of Italy 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (1).

The Gonzalez-Ljubicic match was the most riveting of the tournament so far. Ljubicic stopped numerous times after Gonzalez won points in their match and stared at the Chilean in disbelief of his shot-making.

``He's playing fantastic tennis,'' Ljubicic said of the son of a Santiago flour mill manager.

The mutual respect was obvious.

``It's tough to play against Ivan,'' said Gonzalez. ``He has one of the biggest serves on the circuit.''

Ljubicic served 21 aces, and he still lost, primarily because Gonzalez laid down wicked deliveries along the edges that were impossible to reach as he dashed around like a man possessed.

The both ran, and ran, and ran, and ran . . . for three hours, four minutes.

Gonzalez scored a key point on a back-to-the-net, between-the-legs desperation shot. The ball clipped the top of the net and dropped in.

``I don't practice it,'' he said with a grin. ``When I have a chance, I just do it.

``I was a little bit lucky (Thursday). Maybe you can do it 10 times and it's going to be good one or two times.''

Ljubicic couldn't believe it. He's seen it before, too.

``I think now he's the seventh guy who passed me through the legs,'' he said. ``I don't know if it's me or what it is.

``I barely ever see my opponent missing that shot. It's just incredible. When I played that lob, I saw him go back. I said, `Jesus, here we go again.' Plus, he hit the net.''

Ljubicic will move into the No. 3 world spot in the rankings next week based on his Rexall Centre results. Yet, he remains a relative unknown.

``I'm doing whatever I can to promote myself, but it's not easy these days,'' he said. ``I have to say, it's a little bit frustrating.

``I was the No. 1 seed in Gstaad three weeks ago and I was doing my credentials and they asked me if I'm a coach or a player. Then a woman asked me, `Are you a qualifier or in the main draw?' That's fine when you're (ranked) 20 or 30, but when you're No. 3 or 4 in the world, it's not easy.''

He's merely one of the many players lost in the hype surrounding the success stories of Federer and Nadal.

``All the people are talking about Federer and Nadal,'' said Ljubicic. ``Of course it's right because they're winning everything.

``At this particular moment, they are too good for the others. I'm trying my best. I'm sorry that I was not a better player before. But I'm here (high in the rankings) and I hope I'm going to stay for a long time.''

Those who watched him battle Gonzalez will remember his name.

Meanwhile, Gonzalez is 6-1 in his career against Acasuso so has a good shot at making into the semifinals.
© The Canadian Press, 2007