French Open 2010: Soderling demolishes Federer
The best player in the world who was on a mission in France to defend his tittle has been sent back home. In a shocker for world tennis, Roger Federer was upset by Robin Soderling in the quarter final match of the French Open only yesterday. The 25-year-old Soderling, after kicking Rafael Nadal out of the tournament last year did it again this time in the French Open against Roger Federer
After smashing thunderous volleys in the first set of the quarterfinal match, the top seeded Federer was blowing hot and cold during the quarter-final of the French Open tournament. Federer was swinging on the tips of his toes throughout the match which was largely due to Soderling’s blistering pace in the court. Due to his smooth movement on the clay court, even his socks remained cleaned as before.
Federer won the first set of the match in an effortless display of tennis. Having a career record of 12-0 against the fifth-seeded Robin, Federer lost the match with a score line of 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 and 6-4. It meant that the top seeded Roger Federer had to bow out of the Grand Slam Tournament in just the quarter final match, a tournament in which he had come to defend his title. This was the journey of a man who has made it straight to the semi-finals in Grand Slam for a record 23 times. However, the dream is all over for Federer in this season’s French Open.
After the match, the conquered king of tennis was in a jovial mood as he cracked jokes regarding his defeat in the quarters. Federer will be replaced by second seeded Nadal in the coming week if he succeeds to end the tournament with a title to his name.
About a year ago, Robin Soderling showed his excellence and high quality game by defeating Nadal for the first time at the Roland Garros. And the man has once again used it intelligently on the slow red clay of the French Open 2010.
The match turned towards Robin Soderling’s way when both players came back to the court after a 75-minute delay due to rain. Federer did show his nerves in his serves particularly in the 10th game. The spectators seemed exhausted when Federer double-faulted at deuce. The defending champion looked irritated when Soderling finished off the set in a stylish manner.
Soderling is one of those men who are capable of hitting through the sloppy conditions at the Roland Garros. The rain made the play even slower on the red clay. However, these conditions were supporting the playing style of Soderling as he was successful in similar circumstances in the past as well.
Out of his first 24 service points, Federer got 22. However, his concentration in the match seemed to be lost from the start of the second set. Thereafter, the defending champion lost four points straight away and ended up in losing his first set of the French Open tournament.
Soderling grabbed and took full advantage of every single opportunity that came to his way through out the match and undoubtedly played the match of his life. Federer, in the end, seemed extremely disappointed as he failed to defend his title. His tennis was no doubt good enough to win this match for him but unfortunately it was not his day.
The 16-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer will not be a part of the men's semi-finals at a major tournament for the first time in many years - five years to be exact. The way Soderling played against Federer showed a lot of belief in his game.
But this is not the end for Robin Soderling as he wants to go to the finals straight away. Federer in an interview after the upset, acknowledged Robin’s excellent game plan. On the other hand, Roger accepted his own mistakes as well by missing too many chances throughout the match.
Soderling will meet world number 15, Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic in the first semi-final of the French Open on Friday. Till then, he can relive his moment of joy. Rafal Nadal had a very similar fate last year when he lost to Soderling in the French Open in 2009. Nadal had a 31-0 winning streak in the French Open tournament which was crushed by Soderling with ease.
Tuesday's result was so unexpected due to various reasons. The defending Champion had won 28 of his 30 sets against Soderling and was up by12-0 matches against him. However, in the end, it was Soderling’s day and he is surely going to remember this big win for many years to come.
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