Feliciano Lopez humbled Croatian 10th seed Mario Ancic 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 on Monday to become the first Spaniard to reach the quarter-finals at Wimbledon since 1972.

The 23-year-old lefthander spiked his opponent's powerful serve and raced into the last eight of a Grand Slam for the first time in one hour and 40 minutes.

Ancic, the last player to beat world number one Roger Federer on grass back in 2002, was looking to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals for the second year in a row.

The last Spaniard to reach the quarter-finals at the All England Club was Manuel Orantes. Lopez, who will face Lleyton Hewitt or Taylor Dent, could be joined by Juan-Carlos Ferrero if his compatriot can beat Federer later on Monday.