ATP World Tour Finals: Swiss tennis star Roger Federer defeats Sweden's Robin Soderling to clinch semifinal spot
Improving to 3-0 in the robin-round phase, Switzerland's Roger Federer thrashed Swede Robin Soderling 7-6 (5) in the first set and 6-3 in the second set to make it through to the semifinals of the 2010 ATP World Tour Finals.
Bidding to win the title for the fifth time in his career, Federer stated, "I'm happy I was able to come out and play a good, tough, solid match against a player who I thought was in good shape. I purposely didn't want to know the calculations before the match.
Last year that played on my mind a little bit. I'm happy that all three matches were straight sets wins with no wasted energy. I'm playing real well. I'm through to the semis. So it's all real good right now."
Slightly disappointed, Soderling made an error that left him in regret, in reference to which the professional said, "At first I was pretty sure it was going out. But as soon as I let it go, I felt like this one is going much closer to the line than I expected.
Of course, it went in. It was a little bit unlucky but it's my fault."
The Swede had two break points in the first game of the second set. However, he wasted the first break point, shanking a forehand. Robin thought he had converted it with a forehand shot down the line. Federer nevertheless challenged the line judge's call that
the ball was in. According to the replay shown in the video, the ball had landed wide. Soderling saved two break points in the longest game of the match which included five deuces. In the second set, Roger secured the only break of the second set with a forehand
winner shortly before serving out the match.
Luckily for Britain's Andy Murray, due to Soderling's loss, the professional now only requires to win one set in the match to be played between himself and Spain's David Ferrer. However, if Ferrer wins the match in straight sets, he will have a similar record
to that of Murray and Soderling and second place will furthermore be decided based upon their percentage of games won.
In the doubles category, America's Bob and Mike Bryan made it through to the semifinals of the 2010 ATP World Tour Finals, defeating Leander Paes of India and Lukas Dlouhy of the Czech Republic 6-3 and 6-4.
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