The Romanian defending champion was beaten 6,4, 6-3 by Czech Republic's Karolina Pliskova in their quarter-final encounter.

It brought to an end a 15-match winning streak for Halep at the tournament.

"I think I played one of my best matches this year for sure, and for sure on clay in my life," said sixth-seed Pliskova. 

"I feel amazing since in the last six matches I lost to her. 

"I never thought I would beat her. 

"My serve was great and everything went my way."

Pliskova is now the highest-ranked women's player left in the tournament after earlier defeats for Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki and Spain's Garbiñe Muguruza.

The Netherlands' Kiki Bertens came from behind to beat Russia's Maria Sharapova 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 elsewhere today.

Serbia's Dusan Lajovic produced the shock of the men's draw when recovering from 0-4 down in the decisive tiebreaker to beat Argentina's fourth seed Juan Martin Del Potro, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6.

It marked his first career win against a top-10 player.

Great Britain's Kyle Edmund continued the form he showed against Novak Djokovic by beating Belgium's eighth seed David Goffin 6-4, 6-4 in other men's singles matches.

Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov also beat fellow countryman Milos Raonic by the same scoreline.

Spain's World number one Rafael Nadal beat Argentine Diego Schwartzman 6-3, 6-4 in the day's late match.

It meant he broke John McEnroe's 34-year-old record for most successive set wins on a single surface - 50 - to reach the quarter-finals.