Robin Soderling beats Gael Monfils to Paris Masters title
Sweden's Robin Soderling defeated Gael Monfils of France 6–1 7–6 (7–1) in the final of the Paris Masters on Sunday 14 November.
The victory, which came in two sets, after Monfils pushed Soderling to a tie-break in the second, sees Soderling overtake Andy Murray in third place on the ATP Rankings.
Monfils, a home favourite, will be especially disappointed with the result after having lost last year's final to Novak Djokovic in a dramatic three-setter.
"I know it's difficult to lose two finals in a row in this city but Monfils played incredible tennis this week," Soderling told reporters after winning his first ever Masters title. "Of course, winning
matches against a lot of good players this week gives me a lot of confidence. Playing in any Masters, when you play the top players of the world, every match can be a grand slam final. I think you need to believe in yourself and I think that can make a big
change. I'm feeling really good right now."
Soderling's service too much for Monfils
Monfils never looked like being able to match Soderling's hard serve and steady delivery from the baseline, and the Frenchman hit the ball into the net on two consecutive points as the Swede broke in the
fourth game of the first set.
With only 23 minutes gone, Soderling earned a 5–1 lead after completing his double break with an impressive crosscourt backhand.
The Swede, now the world number three, pounced on Monfils' weak returns in the last game as the 12th seed hit another two balls into the net to relinquish the set.
Monfils opened the second set more convincingly, nearly breaking Soderling in the second game before the fourth seed's strong service allowed him to hold.
Monfils fails to take advantage
Soderling's first-serve percentage dropped in the second set, but this year's French Open runner-up still managed to avert a break from the Frenchman, who was only one game away from the set at 6–5.
In the tie-break, Soderling's experience shone through as he quickly earned a 5–1 lead before the players switched ends on the court.
Soderling then earned himself five match points at 6–1 and needed only one to become the first Swede to lift a Masters trophy since Thomas Enqvist triumphed in Cincinnatti ten years ago.
"It was a very emotional week, I learnt a lot and I will continue to learn," Monfils, who defeated top seed Roger Federer in Saturday's semi-final, told reporters after the loss. "I am very, very disappointed.
I hope I will be in the final again next year."
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