2011 Mutua Madrid Open: Roger Federer vs. Robin Soderling – Quarterfinal Preview
Tennis fans all around the world are anxiously waiting for the third quarter-final of Mutua Madrid Open, as the former world number one, Roger Federer of Switzerland will take on the reigning world number five, Robin Soderling
of Sweden. The much anticipated clash will be held at the Park Manzanares in Madrid, Spain, on Friday evening as the two top ranked players will battle it out for a place in the semis of the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 1000 event.
The Swiss Maestro is struggling to make his way back to the top of the world rankings but is still reckoned to be the most lethal opponent of all times. Federer had a sloppy start to the Madrid Open, toiling hard in his second
round matchup against the Spanish, Feliciano Lopez, defeating him in a tight three-set thriller 7-6(13), 6-7(1), 7-6(7). He secured an easy victory over Xavier Malisse of Germany, 6-4, 6-3, in the third round to enter in the round of eight at Madrid.
The fifth seed Soderling had a comprehensive victory over Santiago Giraldo, after receiving a bye to the second round. He had a tough time in overcoming the strong French competitor, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the third round, 7-6(8),
7-5, to meet Federer in the quarter-final draws of the ATP event.
The two veterans have faced each other a number of times before and Federer is holding a remarkable record against the Swede. The Swiss number one has defeated Soderling 15 times in his career, while suffering defeat just once.
Federer had a 12-match winning streak against Soderling before the Swede register his only win against him in the quarter-final of the Roland Garros last year. Federer has defeated Soderling three times since then, all on the hard courts, to lead the head-to-head
series to 15-1.
The deteriorating form of world number three is the source of concern for his tennis fans world over but he is still reckoned to be the best player ever in the history of professional tennis. Winner of 67 ATP championship titles,
Federer is always the hot favourite player in any tournament he takes part. Although his down sliding form has pushed him down to the number three slot in world rankings, it is anticipated that the Swiss maestro will exhibit his vintage class to outplay Soderling
in the quarter-final to take another shot at the Madrid title.
Federer has defeated the Swede opponent three times on clay surface but the most recent encounter he had with Soderling on red clay at the French Open resulted in a defeat for him. This is the only plus point Soderling has got
and must feel some confidence within himself as his last encounter with Federer on clay resulted an emphatic victory for him. Federer’s performance in the second round clash against Lopez raises some questions on his current form, as he had to play a tie breaker
round in all of the three sets he played in the contest. Nevertheless, the world number three is still the hot favourite for the contest and Soderling has to come up with something special to take down the Swiss maestro.
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