2010 Mubadala World Tennis Championship: Preview – Robin Soderling vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
It is a day of superstars in Abu Dhabi as the three-day exhibition event kicks off on Thursday. Six tennis pros have made their way to Abu Dhabi to compete in the 2010 Mubadala World Tennis Championship.
With names like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Robin Soderling participating, tennis fans all over are surely in for a treat. Kicking off play on Wednesday will be Tomas Berdych and Marcos Baghdatis. Taking to the courts after
these two will be Soderling as he meets Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Tsonga is eager to return to tennis action after a season plagued by injuries. Finishing last year ranked thirteenth in the world, Tsonga failed to clinch any titles or manage any final appearances.
Suffering from one injury or the other throughout the year, Tsonga’s performance at the Grand Slams has suffered much. His only praiseworthy performance came at the Australian Open where he was able to make it to the semis before
losing to eventual champion Federer. During a match against Mikhail Youzhny at the Roland Garros, Tsonga was forced to pull out due to an injury on his knee. His run in Wimbledon was cut short at the quarterfinals by local Andy Murray. With his knee suffering
much, Tsonga pulled out of the Olympus US Open series and ultimately, the United States Open.
With his knee flaring up after the 2010 Kremlin Cup, Tsonga was unable to defend his title at Montpellier. After his loss to compatriot Gael Monfils in the final, Tsonga took retirement for the rest of the season, pulling himself
out of the race to the London season finale.
Excited to play at Abu Dhabi, Tsonga told the press, “Last year I was forced to withdraw from Abu Dhabi due to injury so I’m even more determined to be at my best for this year’s tournament and make a winning start to the season.
The layoff and disappointment in not being able to play in the Davis Cup Final has only made me even hungrier to get back on the court. I’ve certainly missed competing. I’ve heard so much about Abu Dhabi from the guys on tour and it’s a place I’ve always wanted
to see for myself. The weather, facilities, crowd and players of real quality make it an ideal place to start the season and prepare for the Australian Open, a tournament I love.”
Although Tsonga may be bursting with confidence and desire, it will take more than just the right attitude if he wishes to get the best of world number five Robin Soderling. In their previous three meetings, including the one this
year at the Indian Wells Masters, Tsonga has never been able to defeat Soderling.
As opposed to his opponent, Soderling finished the year with two title wins under his belt, a spot in the elite eight-man field in London and an impressive win loss mark of 57-22.
Soderling secured two maiden title wins this year. His first win came in February when he won his first ATP 500 event of the year, clinching the title at Rotterdam. Soderling also managed a Masters win this season, winning the
Paris Masters in November defeating local Monfils. He also put in three final appearances this season including his second straight final run at the Roland Garros. He made it to the finals of the Barcelona event as well as the Bastad event.
The winner of this matchup will go on to face the Swiss maestro himself, Federer. Betting on statistics and the 2010 season, it will be safe to say that Soderling is probably better off to win tomorrow’s match.
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