Andy Roddick eliminated by Feliciano Lopez at Wimbledon.

Andy Roddick is a huge favorite at Wimbledon. Fans appreciate his personality and the effort he gives, especially after Roddick lost 16-14 in the fifth set of the finals two years ago to Roger Federer.

And when Roddick skipped this year's French Open, partly to let heal a sore shoulder, and partly because, as he says, he's realistic about the fact that at 28 years old and with his legs slowing down, Roddick has little chance of doing well on clay, it seemed fair to believe Roddick when he said he was a contender here.

But the three-time Wimbledon runner-up couldn't make it out of the third round Friday. With his wife, model and actress Brooklyn Decker, brushing away tears, Roddick, seeded eighth, fell to Spaniard Feliciano Lopez, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2) on Centre Court.

Roddick had beaten Lopez in their seven previous matches, including at a Wimbledon warm-up in Birmingham, England, two weeks ago. But it was a hard-fought win, 7-6 (2), 6-7 (5), 6-4.