Andy Murray defeats Robin Soderling in London
Home favourite Andy Murray entered London's ATP World Tour Finals in convincing fashion as he overcame Sweden's Robin Soderling in two straight sets.
Murray, who was bumped to fifth place on the ATP Singles Rankings following Soderling's recent victory at the Paris Masters, never really looked threatened and won 6–2 6–4 to go top of Group B.
"I think I played very smart tennis," the Scot told reporters after the victory. "It was getting tough in the second set, a lot of long rallies and I was on the defensive quite a lot but I stuck to my
tactics well and managed to come through."
Drop shots key for Murray
Murray broke in the third game of the opening set after squandering two break points but pouncing on the third to earn a 2–1 lead.
The Scot then failed to surprise the Swede with two drop shots, but an ace allowed him to hold and earn a two-game cushion.
Both players held their subsequent service games, with Murray choosing to outmanoeuvre his opponent with some accurate backhand slices and reliable service.
The world number five continued his varied approach in the seventh game to earn another break as Soderling's assertive strokes failed to deliver the expected results.
With little more than half an hour played, Murray sealed the set when serving at 5–2, hitting another sly drop shot to get the better of Soderling's reactions.
More evenly matched second set
The second set was more evenly contested than the first, with both players holding their serves in the opening six games.
The crowd at at the O2 Arena were given their money's worth, though, as Murray pushed Soderling to fight for his 3–2 lead. Meanwhile, the Scot needed three opportunities to hold service in the sixth set
as Soderling applied the pressure.
At 3–3, Murray's accurate delivery got the better of Soderling's power on the volley as the Scot earned that crucial break.
The efficient Murray then hit his tenth ace of the match and a swerving ball down the line to go up 5–3.
Soderling did what he could and brought the set to 5–4, but in the final game the Swede quickly conceded three match points with Murray completing the victory on the second.
Murray will now face Federer on Tuesday 23 November, with Soderling taking on David Ferrer later the same day.
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