Australian Open 2011: Alexandr Dolgopolov ousts Robin Soderling in five sets
In a surprising turn of events, Swede Robin Soderling was ousted from the Australian Open 2011 by Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov in five sets on Monday.
With the win, Dolgopolov has earned himself a place in the quarterfinals of the year’s first grand slam. This is the first time the Ukrainian has gone this far in any grand slam on the tour.
Enjoying a no set loss record so far in the year, Soderling started the match strongly, but failed to maintain his form and lost the match in the end.
Meeting for the first time on the courts, Soderling rushed into a 5-1 lead breaking Dolgopolov’s service on the second and sixth game. Winning the seventh game on his service, Soderling clinched the first set 6-1.
Trailing 0-1 in the set score, Dolgopolov started the second set unconvincingly. However, holding Soderling at 2-1, the Kiev native won next four games to lead 5-2. Winning one of the next two games, Dolgopolov was able to secure a 6-3 win in the second
set followed by a breadstick win in the third set.
Maintaining his form in the fourth set, Dolgopolov continued to win successive games leading the set 4-0 much to the struggling Swede’s dismay. It was only after ten games that Soderling managed to turn the tables and level the set score winning the fourth
set 6-4.
With two sets each, the match entered the fifth set. Dolgopolov had his serve broken in the first game of the deciding set. However, bouncing back, he won the next four games leading the score 4-1. Allowing a loss of only one game, Dolgopolov was able to
secure a 6-2 victory and sealed the match.
Dolgopolov will play either Andy Murray or Jurgen Melzer in the next round.
In a match that lasted almost two and a half hours, Dolgopolov hit 50 winners to Soderling’s 34 along with 11 aces.
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