Both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal defeated Soderling for French Open Title
Spaniard Rafael Nadal successfully conquered the Roland Garros after defeating Sweden's Robin Söderlingon in a match that had been 12-months in the making. Nadal won straight sets in the finals match of the French Open in Paris.
Previously losing to Soderling which abruptly ended his 2009 Roland Garros bid, Nadal finally had revenge over Soderling.
He won the match at 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. Consequently, aside from winning the championship title, Nadal also snatched the world number one ranking from rival Roger Federer.
Soderling previously broke Nadal’s 31-match, four titles win streak at the Roland Garros.
Soderling won over Nadal during last year’s fourth round. Nadal’s victory over Soderling earned him his fifth French Open title since 2005.
He now ranks second on the all-time list of Roland Garros winners. Nadal is next to Bjorn Borg who won his last French Open championships in 1981.
Nadal’s current record for the French Open is a 38-1. Likewise, Nadal proved once again that he’s the best clay court player since it’s the second time he won the finals of the Roland Garros without losing a set. He initially had the same record back in 2008.
While it may be a victorious Sunday for Nadal, it was bitter finals for his opponent. Soderling defeated title-holder Federer previously to qualify for the finals.
However, the title still proved to be elusive to the Swede player as this is the second time he lost the French Open title for two consecutive years.
Ironically, he defeated Nadal last year only to lose the title to Federer. This time, he defeated Federer only to lose the title to Nadal. It is definitely one of those frustrating endings for a player. Nadal shared his thoughts to Soderling as they stood at the awards podium.
The now five time French Open title holder said that if he didn’t play the best match he could deliver on clay courts, it was nearly impossible to win against Soderling.
The Swede replied in turn saying that Nadal’s play will certainly earn more wins and as for next year, he is hoping that by the third time he’ll be lucky and prepared enough to win the title he los twice.
The morning storm which covered the women’s finals was nowhere to be found on Sunday as the men’s finals commenced.
The courts were in fairly ideal condition when the two players arrived at the Philippe Chatrier centre court. Soderling, who came in as fifth seed in the French Open, opened the set with confidence. He delivered three big serves which recorded an average of 220 kilometres an hour. Soderling gained the first break point during the third game.
However, Soderling was not successful in converting such. As he delivered a backhand long, Soderling suffered in the following game.
Soderling commanded the rally having to contend against a second break point. However, he made a mistake when he allowed Nadal’s crosscourt backhand. Soderling was wrong into thinking that the ball would go out.
Unfortunately for him, it landed just within the baseline. Soderling gained another break point and pushed for a 3-4 before Nadal gained one for himself and extended the lead at 5-3. Sodering had three set points at 0-40 in the next game but the multiple-title holder concluded the set after 55 minutes. In the end, Nadal only needed to deliver service four times before he claimed his fifth title in Paris.
Nadal fired seven aces and 28 winners but his excellent shot control forced Soderling to commit 45 unforced errors – a significant reason to the Swede’s meltdown in the finals.
Soderling, the two time French Open finalist, recorded seven aces and 32 winners with four double faults.
It was the seventh Grand Slam title for Nadal, who said the win was the sweetest of them all.
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