Tennis Update: 2011 Australian Open- Robin Soderling sails through into the second round
World number four, Robin Soderling got off to a strong start at the Australian Open on Tuesday with the hopes of a better run in the event this year.
Having started 2011 with a title win, Soderling is in the best form of his career. He hopes this form will carry him all the way to the finals of the Australian Open with a maiden Grand Slam win at the end. Soderling defeated defending champion at the 2011
Brisbane International to clinch his seventh ATP World Tour title. This is Soderling’s fifth appearance at the Australian Open, where his best run going as far as the second round.
Seeded fourth in the event this week, Soderling met Potito Starace in the opening clash. Meeting for the third time on the courts, Soderling was able to take a 2-1 lead in the previously levelled head to head score.
With Starace opening serve, Soderling broke service twice to clinch the first set 6-4. Soderling repeated the feat in the second and third set to register a twin set score of 6-2, 6-2. Defeating Starace in straight sets, Soderling moves on to play qualifier
Gilles Muller next.
After the match, Soderling said, "Winning in straight sets, it's a very good start. I struggled a little bit in the first set, but I think after that I played better and better. I'm not fearing anyone, but at the same time I fear all. I know that when
I play well, I can beat everyone. I think it's a matter for every player, even the best players, that they really have to stay focused every match. For me that's the most important thing."
Joining Soderling in the second round is thirteenth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Tsonga returns to the Australian Open after a semi-final run last year here, he lost to eventual champion Roger Federer. However, his career best at the event came in 2008 when he made it all the way to the finals before losing to Novak Djokovic.
After an injury plagued year in 2010, Tsonga hopes 2011 will be better for him. Starting his title run at the Australian Open, Tsonga met Philipp Petzschner.
After trailing 0-2 in the set score, the Frenchman bounced back to prevail 4-6, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-5. He struck eleven aces, lost 71 of 171 points on service and succeeded in converting 6 of 13 breakpoints to clinch a 3-2 set victory in three hours and fifteen
minutes. Tsonga next plays Andreas Seppi.
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