2011 Brisbane International-Robin Soderling versus Andy Roddick
Sunday, 9th January saw the end of the ATP Tour season opener in Brisbane. The 2011 Brisbane International started a week ago and had thirty players competing in the event.
Playing the final match of the event in a seeded battle, were the top two seeds, Swede marvel Robin Soderling and American superstar Andy “A-Rod” Roddick. Ranked fifth in the world, Soderling made his debut at the event bagging the top seed position. Roddick
on the other hand was putting in his second straight performance at the event, having won the title in 2010. This was the pair’s sixth meeting on the courts. They had last met in the quarterfinals of the Paris Masters, where Soderling had defeated him to go
one up.
Soderling started his title run at the event, meeting qualifier Ryan Harrison last Monday. Defeating Harrison in straight sets, Soderling moved into the second round where he met German Michael Berrer. Winning the opener 6-3, the Swede entered in a neck
to neck battle in the second set, taking it into a tiebreak. Eventually, Soderling ended by winning it 9-7. The Swede moved ahead in the event, setting up a quarterfinal clash with local qualifier Matthew Ebden.
Although Ebden was a rising star, the fact remained that Soderling was a much superior player given the disparity in their ranking. Enjoying a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 win, the Swede moved ahead into the semis where he was to meet two time finalist and 2009
title holder, Radek Stepanek. Given the support Stepanek enjoyed in Brisbane, it came as no surprise when the Czech enjoyed the “home crowd advantage.” After a hard fought battle with the past Brisbane star, Soderling was finally able to clinch a 6-3, 7-5
victory over the Czech. Although there were certain glitches along the way, the Swede cruised past them and moved into the finals with a no-set loss record at the event.
Defending champion Roddick started his run at the event playing local wildcard entrant Marinko Matosevic. Roddick moved past the local with a 6-3, 6-2 win. Meeting Alexandr Dolgopolov in the second round, Roddick was quick to clinch a 6-4 victory in the
opener before wrapping up the match with a breadstick win in the second set.
The Texan native came to meet Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis in the quarterfinals. Enjoying a 6-2, 6-3 win over Baghdatis, Roddick setup a semi-final clash with Kevin Anderson. Up till now A-Rod had enjoyed smooth sailing in his title defence with no set loss
or any tiebreakers. His first bump at the event came in the semis when winning the opener 6-2, he lost the second set 4-6. Entering the decider, the defending champion was quick to find his form. Rushing to a 6-2 win, Roddick ensured a final appearance for
the second straight year.
Winning the toss, Soderling opened service in the first set. With both players winning games on their services, the score was tied till 3-3. Breaking service in the eighth game and managing wins on his serves, Soderling was able to ensure a 6-3 win in the
first set. Entering the second set, Roddick opened serve but Soderling was close at his heels. Keeping the score tied for ten games, it was only in the eleventh game that Soderling caught a break, winning two consecutive games and doing away with the defending
champion in straight sets.
Clinching the title, Soderling reclaimed his fourth position in the rankings removing Brit Andy Murray. This is Soderling’s first title of the year and the seventh of his career. Winning the match, Soderling said, “I think I served really well and I played
really well again. The last two matches have been my best ones in this tournament. Today the conditions were a little tougher than the other days, it was a bit windy and the rain came on the court a little bit, but I think it was a great match."
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