Robin Söderling: Difference between revisions
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At the [[2010 Western & Southern Financial Group Masters]] , Söderling was yet again the no.5 seed and received a bye into the 2nd round where he defeated [[Lleyton Hewitt]] 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. He lost in the 3rd round to [[Andy Roddick]]. |
At the [[2010 Western & Southern Financial Group Masters]] , Söderling was yet again the no.5 seed and received a bye into the 2nd round where he defeated [[Lleyton Hewitt]] 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. He lost in the 3rd round to [[Andy Roddick]]. |
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Entering the final Grand Slam event of the year, Söderling was seeded 5th at the [[2010 US Open]]. He defeated qualifier [[Andreas Haider-Maurer]] in a tough five set opening round. In the second round, Söderling beat [[Taylor Dent]] with ease 6-2, 6-2, 6-4. He will play [[Thiemo |
Entering the final Grand Slam event of the year, Söderling was seeded 5th at the [[2010 US Open]]. He defeated qualifier [[Andreas Haider-Maurer]] in a tough five set opening round. In the second round, Söderling beat [[Taylor Dent]] with ease 6-2, 6-2, 6-4.<ref>http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2010/09/35/US-Open-Thursday-Soderling-Cruises-Past-Dent.aspx</ref> He will play [[Thiemo de Bakker]] next. |
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===Rivalry with Rafael Nadal=== |
===Rivalry with Rafael Nadal=== |
Revision as of 16:18, 4 September 2010
File:BB2614Ten-571x690.jpg | |
Full name | Robin Bo Carl Söderling |
---|---|
Country (sports) | ![]() |
Residence | Monte Carlo, Monaco |
Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) [1] |
Turned pro | 2001 |
Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
Prize money | $7,352,324 |
Singles | |
Career record | 251–153 |
Career titles | 5 |
Highest ranking | No. 5 (5 July 2010) |
Current ranking | No. 5 (23 August 2010) |
Grand Slam singles results | |
Australian Open | 2R (2004, 2009) |
French Open | F (2009, 2010) |
Wimbledon | QF (2010) |
US Open | QF (2009) |
Other tournaments | |
Tour Finals | SF (2009) |
Olympic Games | 1R (2004) (2008) |
Doubles | |
Career record | 33–43 |
Career titles | 1 |
Highest ranking | No. 109 (9 May 2009) |
Last updated on: 27 August 2010. |
Robin Bo Carl Söderling (Swedish pronunciation: [ˈrɔbɪn ˈsøːdəɭɪŋ]; born 14 August 1984 in Tibro) is a professional tennis player from Sweden who is currently ranked #5 in the ATP rankings. Söderling is best known for reaching successive French Open finals in 2009 and 2010. In both tournaments, he defeated the defending champion en route to the final—Rafael Nadal in 2009 (becoming the first and, to date, only player to defeat Nadal at the French Open),[3] and Roger Federer in 2010 (ending Federer's record streak of 23 consecutive Grand Slam semifinals).[4] But ironically, it was Federer and Nadal who had beaten Söderling in the 2009 and 2010 French Open finals respectively. He is coached by former world no.2 Magnus Norman.
Personal life
Söderling speaks English, Swedish and German. His father Bo is a lawyer and mother Britt-Inger a housewife. Söderling's sister, Sandra, is a teacher. While not playing, Söderling enjoys relaxing with friends, watching sports, spending time with his girlfriend, playing golf, going fishing, and driving around in his car.[5] Robin is engaged to Jenni Moström.[6]
Juniors
Söderling began playing tennis at the age of five. Robin Söderling made his first steps in international tennis in November 1998 in Luxembourg, when at the age of 14 he played his first official junior tournament, losing the opening match to Fred Hemmes, Jr. In his first full year in the junior tour (2000), he achieved four tournament victories and in 2001 attained three more titles in the juniors including the Orange Bowl. In the same year Söderling achieved fourth place in the year-end ranking and played in his very first ATP tournament in Stockholm, winning his first match against Ramón Delgado.
Pro career
First years
Söderling tried to break into the men's circuit in 2002, playing five more ATP tournaments and the second round of the US Open. In the Challenger circuit he achieved a 16–8 record, and he played in the US Open Junior tournament where he reached the final. In 2003 the transition to the main tour was completed as he reached the third round at Wimbledon (coming from the qualifying rounds) and reached an ATP final in Stockholm (losing a decisive tie-break there), earning the year-end ranking of 86. Robin's first ATP title came in 2004 at the Lyon where he beat Belgian Xavier Malisse in the final. He also made the final at Marseille. By the end of the year, Söderling climbed into the world's top 50 in the rankings. Robin had his first serious injury in 2005, eventually resulting in a knee operation in March. But even though not fit to play many tournaments, he managed to score another title – in Milan (d. Radek Štěpánek in final). After a mediocre and injury troubled season from there on, Robin reached just one good result (third round in the US Open), before going through another surgery.
Returning in 2006, he bounced back from 100th place in the Indesit ATP rankings to top 50 within three months, even though knee and shoulder injuries still prevented him from playing at his best. Helped the Swedish team with two wins to keep its World Group Davis Cup spot in a play-off in Brazil. During the season he was healthy most of the time and managed a good climb, although he failed to impress at the Slams. But in the end of the year, he earned many points and finished at a career-high place of 25.
2007 was to be an OK year as well for Söderling. He made it to the round of 32 at Wimbledon, where he lost to Rafael Nadal in a five-set match. He caused much controversy on the court when he exchanged mocking behaviour with Nadal, tugging on his shorts in the manner Nadal is known for after growing tired of Nadal's slow play at the beginning of the 5th.[7]
Söderling did not make it to an ATP final for the first time in 5 years in 2007, however he turned out consistent results all through out the year. Yet he missed the last 3 months of the main tour due to a left wrist injury.
Return from injuries
Söderling missed the Australian Open due to injury. The first tournament he entered in 2008 was the Open 13 Marseille, where he reached the quarterfinals. He then reached the final of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament (Rotterdam), finishing runner-up to Michaël Llodra in the final, 6–7,6–3,7–6. The next week he reached another final at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis, U.S. He beat top seed Andy Roddick in the tournament along the way to the final. However he lost another final in two weeks as he finished runner-up to unseeded Steve Darcis, 6–3,7–6.
At the 2008 World Team Cup in Düsseldorf on clay, he was undefeated in 4 singles and 4 doubles matches. He became only the third player in history of that event to accomplish that feat since John McEnroe in 1984 and Fernando González in 2003. Thus winning all of his matches there, he led the Swedish Team to the victory.
In late May he reached the 3rd round in the French Open where he lost against home player Julien Bennetau. At Wimbledon, he lost to Roger Federer in the round of 64 in three straight sets. After disappointing results in both the Beijing Olympics and the US Open, Söderling decided to break up with his trainer Peter Carlsson. He took on former Swedish world number 2 Magnus Norman as support until he appointed a new trainer. With the help of Norman, Robin reached his third final of the year in his native Sweden at Stockholm, but lost to David Nalbandian in a tough match (2–6,7–5,3–6). Three weeks later Söderling finally clinched a final win for his first title in 3 years, and the second on the particular venue, at the Lyon tournament, defeating Julien Benneteau in three sets (6–3,6–7,6–1). On his way to the final he recorded wins over top seed Andy Roddick in the quarterfinals, as well as the French number one Gilles Simon in the semi, both ranked in the top 10 ATP South African Airways ranking. With that, Söderling himself climbed as high as no. 18 in the rankings, a new career best. He finished the year with a career high ranking of no. 17. On 4 November he announced that Magnus Norman will be his trainer starting right after his vacation.
Reaching top ten
With his new coach at his side, Söderling started the 2009 ATP World Tour at the 2009 Brisbane International. He lost in the quarterfinals against Radek Štěpánek, who eventually won the tournament. Söderling then participated in the 2009 Heineken Open where he lost in the semifinals against Juan Martín del Potro, again losing to the eventual champion. He was seeded 16th at the 2009 Australian Open and lost to an unseeded Marcos Baghdatis in the second round.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/12/Soderling_Roland_Garros_2009_3.jpg/220px-Soderling_Roland_Garros_2009_3.jpg)
He then entered the Indian Wells Masters 1000 event, losing to Nicolás Lapentti 4–6, 6–7(7) in the second round. Despite playing well and winning the challenger Sunrise, Söderling suffered from injuries mixed with poor results for over two months. He finally won consecutive matches for the first time on the ATP tour since the 2009 Australian Open at the Rome Masters, before falling to World No. 1 Rafael Nadal in a controversial match 1–6, 0–6 in the third round.[8][9] Following another third round exit at the Madrid Masters against Roger Federer, Söderling next competed at the ARAG World Team Cup in Düsseldorf, as part of the Swedish contingent. Although Sweden did not win, Söderling defeated Gilles Simon and Rainer Schüttler, the latter 6–0, 6–0.
At the 2009 French Open, Söderling, seeded 23, reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time after defeating Kevin Kim, Denis Istomin, and David Ferrer. This set up a match with four-time defending champion Rafael Nadal.[10] He scored the biggest upset of the year beating Nadal and ending his record 31-match winning streak at Roland Garros.[11] Women's tennis legend Martina Navratilova described the match as one of the greatest upsets in tennis history. His 6–2, 6–7(2), 6–4, 7–6(2) victory over the reigning World No. 1 made Söderling the first and, as of 2024, only person to beat Nadal in a best-of-five-sets match on clay. Two days later, facing number 10 seed and two-time semifinalist Nikolay Davydenko, Söderling won 6–1, 6–3, 6–1 to reach his maiden major semifinal.[12] Söderling made his first Grand Slam final, beating Fernando González 6–3, 7–5, 5–7, 4–6, 6–4[13][14] after having been down 0–30 and 1–4 in the final set, then reeling off the final five games of the set and match. Söderling lost the final to Federer 1–6, 6–7(1), 4–6; however, his ranking was elevated to 12th in the world, a career high.
Söderling was seeded 13th at the 2009 Wimbledon Championships, his next event. He reached the fourth round for the first time in his career, defeating Gilles Müller, Marcel Granollers, and Nicolás Almagro on the way there. Söderling set up another match with Federer, a five-time champion at Wimbledon; though Federer defeated him again, 6–4, 7–6(5), 7–6(5), Söderling was only broken once in the match.[15]
After Wimbledon, Söderling returned to his native country to play at the 2009 Collector Swedish Open. As the number two seed, he received a first round bye. He defeated Kristof Vliegen 6–2, 6–3 in the second round, and won his quarterfinal match against Nicolás Almagro 7–5, 6–3. Söderling reached the final by defeating fellow countryman, Andreas Vinciguerra, 6–1, 7–6(6). There, he beat Juan Mónaco 6–3, 7–6(4) for the title, becoming the first Swede since his coach Magnus Norman (in 2000) to win the singles title at the Swedish Open. This was Söderling's first outdoor title, as well as his first title on a surface other than indoor hardcourt. As a result of his win, Söderling moved up to 11th in the world.
Söderling then participated in the 2009 International German Open but lost in the third round to Nicolás Almagro. This was Söderling's first loss to a player other than Federer since the Rome Masters in late April, where he lost to Rafael Nadal.
Moving over to the U.S hardcourt season, Söderling started at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic but had to pull out in the quarterfinals due to an elbow injury which forced Söderling to withdraw from the 2009 Rogers Cup as well. Returning to the scene at 2009 Cincinnati Masters, he lost in the first round to Lleyton Hewitt.
Söderling was seeded No.12 at the 2009 US Open and advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time at Flushing Meadows after defeating notable opponents such as Albert Montañés, Marcel Granollers, in form American No.22 seed Sam Querrey and No.8 seed Nikolay Davydenko. En route to the quarterfinals, Söderling had a bit of luck on the fact that two of his opponents retired, including the Russian, who retired when Söderling led 7–5, 3–6, 6–2. Söderling went on to face five time defending champion and No.1 seed Roger Federer for the fourth time this year (three of them in a Grand Slam event). Söderling was defeated by Federer after a horrible start, but showed remarkable strength after losing the two first sets (Federer dominated) and took the third set after being down 0–4 in the tiebreak. He then held one set point in the fourth set tiebreak though eventually losing 0–6, 3–6, 7–6(6), 6–7(6). This was the second time in the pair's 12 meetings that Söderling took a set against Federer. In Davis Cup Playoffs, he helped a 3–2 win over Romania and a chance for Sweden to compete in the 2010 Davis Cup by clinching a 7–5,6–1,6–0 victory over world #28 Victor Hănescu.
After US Open, he reached the semifinals in both 2009 Malaysian Open and 2009 China Open before the Shanghai Masters where he officially cracked into the top 10 for the first time, notably beating fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6–3, 6–3. However, he was upset in the quarterfinals by Feliciano López 6–7(4), 3–6. Söderling was the no.1 seed at the Stockholm Open but due to an elbow injury had to retire in the semifinals. Though not a serious injury, Söderling retired from the 2009 Valencia Open 500 tournament as well. At the moment no.9 on the ATP Race, Söderling needed a big performance in 2009 BNP Paribas Masters to reach the ATP World Tour Finals.[16] He started strong against Ivo Karlović, winning in straight sets, 6–4, 7–6(6), and beat sixth seed Davydenko in the third round, 6–3, 3–6, 6–4. Söderling lost his chance of qualifying to the ATP World Tour Finals when no.3 seed Novak Djokovic became too strong in the quarterfinals and won in three sets, 6–4, 1–6, 6–3.
However, Söderling qualified as first reserve for the finals when American Andy Roddick withdrew due to an injury sustained in Shanghai. Söderling was drawn into a group comprising Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Nikolay Davydenko. He made an impressive start, beating Nadal in his first robin match 6–4 6–4. He followed that up with a 7–6(5) 6–1 win over Djokovic. He was then assured a place in the semi finals of this year-end championships. However, he lost to Nikolay Davydenko 6–7(4) 6–4 3–6 in his third and final round robin match. Despite this, he became the winner of his group (group B), and set up a semifinal clash with US Open champion Juan Martín del Potro who defeated him 6–7(1), 6–3, 7–6(3). Söderling finished the year ranked #8, a career best.
2010
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/Robin_Soderling_-_1er_tour_de_Roland_Garros_2010_-_tennis_french_open.jpg/350px-Robin_Soderling_-_1er_tour_de_Roland_Garros_2010_-_tennis_french_open.jpg)
Söderling made his 2010 debut at the Capitala World Tennis Championship, an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi. He started in the quarterfinals, defeating Stanislas Wawrinka, 7–6(4), 7–6(2). Söderling then came back from a set and break down to defeat Roger Federer 6–7(6), 7–6(1), 6–2. Although generally reported in the media as being the first time Söderling had defeated Federer in 13 attempts, as an exhibition it remains an unofficial match that does not count on record. Söderling faced Rafael Nadal in the final, but was defeated 6–7(3), 5–7.[17]
Söderling then headed to Chennai, India to participate in the 2010 Aircel Chennai Open where he was the first seed but lost in the first round to American Robby Ginepri.
Robin Söderling was seeded 8th but lost in the first round of the 2010 Australian Open to unseeded Spaniard Marcel Granollers 7–5, 6–2, 4–6, 4–6, 2–6.[18].
Söderling received a wildcard to the 2010 ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament and was seeded 3rd. He won his first ATP match of the year defeating Florent Serra 4–6, 6–4, 6–1 in the first round. He beat Igor Sijsling 7–6(6), 6–2 to advance to the quarterfinals. With his confidence regained (along with useful matches under his belt), Söderling ripped apart Julien Benneteau of France in the Quarter Finals 6–0, 6–1, and beat Nikolay Davydenko in the semis 7–6(3), 6–4 after a strong performance from both players. He went one step better (than the 2008 Rotterdam final), as he ended up winning when leading 6–4, 2–0 against Mikhail Youzhny who had to retire with a hamstring injury. This is the biggest tournament he has won (in terms of point size) to date (2010).[19]
Söderling was the first seed at the 2010 Open 13 in Marseille but lost in the quarterfinals to eventual champion Michaël Llodra 6–7(2), 4-6.
He won both his singles ties against Argentina in 2010 Davis Cup, though Sweden lost eventually 3-2.
Söderling was seeded sixth at the 2010 BNP Paribas Open. As a seeded player, he received a first round bye and defeated Evgeny Korolev 6–2, 6–4 in the second round. In the third round he produced an impressive performance, beating twenty-eighth seed Spaniard Feliciano López in straight sets. His winning ways continued, as he used his ground-strokes to eliminate 9th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the fourth round, winning 6–3, 6–4. In the quarterfinals Soderling reproduced his best form, to take out the World No. 4 Andy Murray 6–1, 7–6(4) in a surprisingly one sided encounter.[20] However, plagued by inconsistency, he lost in the semifinals to seventh seed Andy Roddick after a close three set match, 4–6, 6–3, 3–6.[21]
Seeded 5th in the 2010 Sony Ericsson Open, and after receiving a bye in the first round, Söderling beat Peter Luczak, 7–6 (7–5), 6–0. He faced Philipp Petzschner in the third round and won comfortably 6–1, 6–2. He faced 9th seed Fernando González in the fourth round, defeating him in an unpredictable match 6–0, 6–7(3), 6–2. He went on to advance to his second straight ATP World Tour Masters 1000 semifinal, after beating Mikhail Youzhny 6–1, 6–4 in the quarterfinals. However, plagued by a stiff right knee, Söderling was once again eliminated in the semifinals, this time by Tomáš Berdych 2–6, 2–6.[22]
After good results in the U.S, Robin returned to Europe for the clay court season but had to pull out of 2010 Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters due to an overstrained knee.[23] His clay court season got under way at the 2010 Barcelona Open Banco Sabadell where he reached the final after impressive victories over the likes of Juan Ignacio Chela, Feliciano López, Eduardo Schwank and Thiemo de Bakker. He fell to 5th seed Fernando Verdasco in three sets.[24]
Söderling had a dip in form after poor results in both 2010 Internazionali BNL d'Italia and 2010 Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open winning just one match against Paolo Lorenzi in Rome. His final tournament before Roland Garros was 2010 Open de Nice Côte d’Azur where he was the first seed. There, after receiving bye in the first round, he fell in the second round as Olivier Rochus upset the Swede 6–2, 4–6, 4–6.
Söderling was seeded 5th at the 2010 French Open hoping to defend his runner up finish from 2009. He made a strong start defeating unseeded French player Laurent Recouderc 6–0, 6–2, 6–3 in the first round. He then crushed American Taylor Dent 6–0, 6–1, 6–1.[25] Söderling advanced to the fourth round after defeating Albert Montañés 6–4, 7–5, 2–6, 6–3. He defeated the number 10 seed Marin Čilić 6–4, 6–4, 6–2 en route to the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals he faced world #1 and defending champion Roger Federer. Undaunted, Söderling defeated Federer 3–6, 6–3, 7–5, 6–4.[26][27] It was the 1st win for Söderling against Federer in 13 attempts (excluding exhibition matches), and ended Federer's record streak of 23 consecutive Grand Slam semifinals made. This was also the second consecutive year Söderling defeated the world #1 and reigning French Open, Wimbledon and Australian Open champion at the French Open (as he defeated Nadal in 2009). The win also made Söderling only the second player to have defeated both Federer and Nadal in any Grand Slam (Juan Martín del Potro accomplished this at the 2009 US Open),[28] and the only person to have defeated both at the French Open. His win was also the first time someone defeated the defending champion in two consecutive years since Mats Wilander did it in 1984–1985.[29] In the semifinals, Söderling defeated the number 15 seed Tomáš Berdych 6–3, 3–6, 5–7, 6–3, 6–3 to reach his second consecutive French Open final.[30][31] By this win, Söderling guaranteed himself a career-high ranking of 6. Söderling faced Rafael Nadal in the final and could not stop the Spaniard as he fell 4–6, 2–6, 4–6.[32]
After another successful run at Roland Garros, Söderling entered the 2010 Wimbledon Championships as the no.6 seed. He started of his first grass tournament of the year by defeating unseeded American Robby Ginepri in straight sets 6–2, 6–2, 6–3.[33]. Waiting in the second round was Spaniard Marcel Granollers whom also had to surrender in three sets 7–5, 6–1, 6–4. He continued his good form by defeating Thomaz Bellucci comfortably 6–4, 6–2, 7–5.[34]. In the fourth round Söderling defeated David Ferrer in a contest which stretched for five sets 6–2, 5–7, 6–2, 3–6, 7–5. After that win he advanced to his first ever Quarterfinal match at Wimbledon. In the Quarterfinals he lost to world #1 and eventual champion Rafael Nadal 6–3, 3–6, 6–7(4), 1–6.[35] Despite the loss, he guaranteed himself a career-high world #5 ranking for the first time.
Returning to his native country for the first time since the Davis Cup tie in March, Söderling is seeded no.1 at the 2010 Swedish Open; a tournament that he won last year. He received a bye into the second round where he defeated fellow swede Andreas Vinciguerra in a hard fought 6–2, 6–7(6), 6–2 victory.[36] In the quarterfinals, he battled past Andreas Seppi 4–6, 7–5, 7–6(5).[37] In the semifinals, he again required three sets to defeat David Ferrer 4–6, 6–3, 6–2 to advance to the final for the second successive year. However, his aim for a second straight title was halted by Nicolás Almagro in the final, losing 5–7, 6–3, 2–6 after inconsistent play. A performance that disappointed him to the point of being close to tears during the presentation ceremony.[38]
After a three week hiatus from competition, Robin started off his U.S hardcourt season with the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event 2010 Rogers Cup where he's seeded no. 5. He received a bye into the second round where he defeated latvian Ernests Gulbis 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. He was defeated by in-form argentine David Nalbandian 6-4, 4-6, 1-6 in the 3rd round.[39]
At the 2010 Western & Southern Financial Group Masters , Söderling was yet again the no.5 seed and received a bye into the 2nd round where he defeated Lleyton Hewitt 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. He lost in the 3rd round to Andy Roddick.
Entering the final Grand Slam event of the year, Söderling was seeded 5th at the 2010 US Open. He defeated qualifier Andreas Haider-Maurer in a tough five set opening round. In the second round, Söderling beat Taylor Dent with ease 6-2, 6-2, 6-4.[40] He will play Thiemo de Bakker next.
Rivalry with Rafael Nadal
Söderling has a noteworthy rivalry with Rafael Nadal originally sparked by a particular incident occurring during a match between the two in 2007. The two met in the third round of Wimbledon in a match that lasted five sets and several days due to rain delays. Although Nadal won the match, Söderling received considerable media attention for walking off the court while Nadal was preparing to serve to protest Nadal's lengthy time between serves. At the start of the fifth set, Nadal was ready to serve but he didn't realize that Soderling went off to his chair to get a new racquet (on purpose to delay Nadal). When Soderling went back on court and both were ready to begin the first point, Nadal said to Soderling across the net, "new balls yeah?" and held up his serving ball to show him, which Soderling responded to by "mocking" Nadal's habit of picking at his shorts prior to playing the first point of the final set.[41] Nadal eventually prevailed 6–4, 6–4, 6–7(7), 4–6, 7–5.
In 2009 the pair met in a match at the Rome Masters. Again, a controversial moment took place, where Nadal placed a shot outside the baseline which was then called out by the linesman. Söderling pointed to a mark on the court, but it was clear that it was the incorrect spot where the ball was called out. The umpire left his chair and pointed on the right location yet not the right spot, meaning he ruled the ball to be replayed.[42] This caused Söderling to lose his temper because the Hawk-Eye replay made it clear that the ball was indeed out.[9] He eventually lost the match 6–1, 6–0.
A month later Söderling and Nadal met again at the 2009 French Open. Söderling became the first player ever to defeat Nadal at the French Open by winning in four sets with a score of 6–2, 6–7(2), 6–4, 7–6(2). The Swede then defeated Nadal again in 2009, in a first-rubber round robin match at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals (in London), in straight sets 6–4, 6–4.
The pair faced each other once again in Paris in the 2010 French Open final, where Nadal won 6–4, 6–2, 6–4.
Twenty-four days later, they played each other again in Wimbledon; their previous Wimbledon meeting at the 2007 infamous third round, five-set match. In this 2010 match, it was a well contested quarterfinal match on grass where eventual champion Nadal dropped the opening set, but ended up coming back to win the match 3–6, 6–3, 7–6(4), 6–1.
Nadal now leads the head to head series at 5–2 against Söderling.
Playing style and equipment
Söderling's type of game has been described as "brutal". He is known for his competitive drive and powerful game, hitting accurate hard ground strokes. His serve is heavy and precise, capable of generating a speed of over 140 mph.[43] He can overpower most of his opponents and possesses a very good return game.[44] His double-handed backhand is solid and dependable, while the forehand is regarded as one of the most lethal in today's game.[45] Most of his success has come on faster surfaces (hard courts and indoor carpet), although his best Grand Slam results have occurred at the French Open; this is thought to be due to the heavy conditions and slowness of the clay which allow him more time to set up his powerful shots.[46] Many people have praised Söderling for his game, saying he is a Grand Slam contender and stable top tenner,[47] though his mental strength and lack of consistency in his game has been his weakness.[48] But in recent years, his mental toughness has improved considerably and this has raised the consistency of his game; much of this has been attributed to the influence of his current coach, former world #2 and 2000 French Open finalist Magnus Norman.[45] Söderling wears Lotto clothing and uses a Head YOUTEK Radical Midplus racquet.[6][49][50]
Career statistics
Grand Slam singles finals: 2 (2 runner-ups)
Outcome | Year | Championship | Surface | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
Runner-up | 2009 | French Open | Clay | ![]() |
1–6, 6–7(1), 4–6 |
Runner-up | 2010 | French Open (2) | Clay | ![]() |
4–6, 2–6, 4–6 |
Career finals
Singles: 15 (5 titles, 10 runner-ups)
- Wins (5)
|
|
|
No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
1. | 4 October 2004 | Lyon, France | Carpet (i) | ![]() |
6–2, 3–6, 6–4 |
2. | 31 January 2005 | Milan, Italy | Carpet (i) | ![]() |
6–3, 6–7(2), 7–6(5) |
3. | 26 October 2008 | Lyon, France | Carpet (i) | ![]() |
6–3, 6–7(5), 6–1 |
4. | 19 July 2009 | Båstad, Sweden | Clay | ![]() |
6–3, 7–6(4) |
5. | 14 February 2010 | Rotterdam, Netherlands | Hard (i) | ![]() |
6–4, 2–0 retired |
- Runner-ups (10)
|
|
|
No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
1. | 20 October 2003 | Stockholm, Sweden | Hard (i) | ![]() |
5–7, 6–3, 6–7(4) |
2. | 23 February 2004 | Marseille, France | Hard (i) | ![]() |
6–4, 4–6, 4–6 |
3. | 20 February 2006 | Memphis, USA | Hard (i) | ![]() |
3–6, 2–6 |
4. | 18 February 2008 | Rotterdam, Netherlands | Hard (i) | ![]() |
7–6(3), 3–6, 6–7(4) |
5. | 25 February 2008 | Memphis, USA | Hard (i) | ![]() |
3–6, 6–7(5) |
6. | 6 October 2008 | Stockholm, Sweden | Hard (i) | ![]() |
2–6, 7–5, 3–6 |
7. | 7 June 2009 | French Open, Paris, France | Clay | ![]() |
1–6, 6–7(1), 4–6 |
8. | 25 April 2010 | Barcelona, Spain | Clay | ![]() |
3–6, 6–4, 3–6 |
9. | 6 June 2010 | French Open, Paris, France | Clay | ![]() |
4–6, 2–6, 4–6 |
10. | 18 July 2010 | Båstad, Sweden | Clay | ![]() |
5–7, 6–3, 2–6 |
Doubles: 2 (1 title, 1 runner-up)
- Win (1)
Legend (Doubles) |
Grand Slam (0) |
ATP World Tour Masters 1000 (0) |
ATP World Tour 500 (0) |
ATP World Tour 250 (1) |
No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Partner | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
1. | 7 July 2008 | Båstad, Sweden | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 6–2 |
- Runner-up (1)
No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Partner | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
1. | 19 July 2009 | Båstad, Sweden | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–1, 3–6, [7–10] |
Team competition wins
- 2008 – World Team Championship, Düsseldorf, Germany (Clay)
Singles performance timeline
To prevent confusion and double counting, information in this table is updated only after a tournament or the player's participation in the tournament has concluded. This table is current through to the Cincinnati Masters.
Tournament | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | Career SR | Career W-L | Career Win % | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grand Slam Tournaments | ||||||||||||||
Australian Open | A | A | LQ | 2R | 1R | A | 1R | A | 2R | 1R | 0 / 5 | 2–5 | 28.57 | |
French Open | A | A | LQ | 1R | 2R | 1R | 1R | 3R | F | F | 0 / 7 | 15–7 | 68.18 | |
Wimbledon | A | A | 3R | 1R | 1R | 1R | 3R | 2R | 4R | QF | 0 / 8 | 12–8 | 60.00 | |
US Open | A | 2R | 1R | 2R | 3R | 2R | A | 1R | QF | 0 / 7 | 9–7 | 56.25 | ||
SR | 0 / 0 | 0 / 1 | 0 / 2 | 0 / 4 | 0 / 4 | 0 / 3 | 0 / 3 | 0 / 3 | 0 / 4 | 0 / 3 | 0 / 27 | N/A | 0.00 | |
Win-Loss | 0–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–4 | 3–4 | 1–3 | 2–3 | 3–3 | 14–4 | 10–3 | N/A | 38–27 | 58.46 | |
Year-End Championship | ||||||||||||||
ATP World Tour Finals | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | SF | 0 / 1 | 2–2 | 50.00 | ||
Olympic Games | ||||||||||||||
Summer Olympics | Not Held | 1R | Not Held | A | Not Held | 0 / 1 | 0–1 | 0.00 | ||||||
ATP World Tour Masters 1000 | ||||||||||||||
Indian Wells Masters | A | A | A | 2R | A | 3R | 3R | 2R | 2R | SF | 0 / 6 | 9–6 | 60.00 | |
Miami Masters | A | A | A | 2R | A | A | A | 3R | 2R | SF | 0 / 4 | 7–4 | 63.63 | |
Monte Carlo Masters | A | A | A | 1R | 1R | 3R | QF | 2R | 1R | A | 0 / 6 | 6–6 | 50.00 | |
Rome Masters | A | A | A | 1R | 1R | A | 2R | 1R | 3R | 3R | 0 / 6 | 4–6 | 40.00 | |
Madrid Masters | A | A | A | 2R | A | 3R | A | 2R | 2R | 2R | 0 / 5 | 5–5 | 50.00 | |
Canada Masters | A | A | A | 2R | 2R | 1R | 1R | 3R | A | 3R | 0 / 6 | 5–6 | 45.45 | |
Cincinnati Masters | A | A | A | 3R | 2R | 3R | A | 3R | 1R | 3R | 0 / 5 | 8–5 | 63.63 | |
Shanghai Masters | Not Masters Series | QF | 0 / 1 | 3–1 | 75.00 | |||||||||
Paris Masters | A | A | A | QF | A | 2R | A | 2R | QF | 0 / 4 | 6–4 | 60.00 | ||
Hamburg Masters | A | A | A | 1R | 2R | 3R | 2R | 3R | NMS | 0 / 5 | 6–5 | 54.54 | ||
SR | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 9 | 0 / 5 | 0 / 7 | 0 / 5 | 0 / 9 | 0 / 8 | 0 / 5 | 0 / 47 | N/A | 0.00 | |
Win-Loss | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 9–9 | 3–5 | 10–7 | 10–5 | 12–9 | 8–8 | 10–5 | N/A | 63–49 | 56.36 | |
ATP World Tour 500 | ||||||||||||||
Rotterdam | A | A | A | A | 1R | A | A | F | A | W | 1 / 3 | 9–2 | 81.81 | |
Memphis | A | A | A | A | A | F | A | F | 1R | A | 0 / 3 | 8–3 | 72.72 | |
Dubai | A | A | A | A | 1R | A | SF | A | A | A | 0 / 2 | 3–2 | 60.00 | |
Barcelona | A | A | A | A | A | A | 2R | A | 2R | F | 0 / 3 | 6–3 | 66.67 | |
Hamburg | Not Masters Series | 3R | A | 0 / 1 | 2–1 | 66.67 | ||||||||
Indianapolis | A | A | A | 2R | A | A | A | A | 250 | 0 / 1 | 0–1 | 0.00 | ||
Washington | Held as ATP 250 | QF | A | 0 / 1 | 2–1 | 66.67 | ||||||||
Beijing | Not held | Held as ATP 250 | SF | 0 / 1 | 3–1 | 75.00 | ||||||||
Tokyo | A | A | 1R | A | A | A | A | A | A | 0 / 1 | 0–1 | 0.00 | ||
SR | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 1 | 0 / 1 | 0 / 2 | 0 / 1 | 0 / 2 | 0 / 2 | 0 / 5 | 1 / 2 | 1 / 16 | N/A | 6.25 | |
Win-Loss | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–1 | 4–2 | 8–2 | 7–5 | 9–1 | N/A | 33–15 | 68.75 | |
ATP World Tour 250 | ||||||||||||||
Brisbane | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | QF | A | 0 / 1 | 2–1 | 66.67 | |
Chennai | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | 1R | 0 / 1 | 0–1 | 0.00 | |
Doha | A | A | A | 2R | A | A | SF | A | A | A | 0 / 2 | 4–2 | 66.67 | |
Sydney | A | A | A | A | 1R | A | A | A | A | A | 0 / 1 | 0–1 | 0.00 | |
Milan | A | A | A | A | W | Not Held | 1 / 1 | 5–0 | 100.00 | |||||
Auckland | A | A | LQ | 1R | A | A | SF | A | A | A | 0 / 2 | 2–2 | 50.00 | |
Zagreb | A | A | A | A | A | 1R | 2R | A | A | A | 0 / 2 | 1–2 | 33.33 | |
San Jose | A | A | A | A | A | QF | A | A | A | A | 0 / 1 | 2–1 | 66.67 | |
Marseille | A | A | A | F | A | A | SF | QF | A | QF | 0 / 4 | 11–4 | 73.33 | |
Las Vegas | A | A | A | A | A | 1R | A | A | A | A | 0 / 1 | 0–1 | 0.00 | |
Munich | A | A | A | 1R | A | 2R | A | A | A | A | 0 / 2 | 1–2 | 33.33 | |
Nice | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | 2R | 0 / 1 | 0–1 | 0.00 | |
St. Pölten | A | 1R | A | 1R | A | A | A | Not Held | 0 / 2 | 0–2 | 0.00 | |||
Halle | A | A | A | 1R | 1R | QF | 2R | QF | A | A | 0 / 5 | 5–5 | 50.00 | |
's-Hertogenbosch | A | A | A | A | 2R | A | A | A | A | A | 0 / 1 | 1–1 | 50.00 | |
Nottingham | A | A | A | SF | A | SF | A | Not Held | 0 / 2 | 6–2 | 75.00 | |||
Båstad | LQ | 1R | 2R | SF | 2R | QF | QF | QF | W | F | 1 / 9 | 20–8 | 71.43 | |
New Haven | A | A | A | A | 2R | SF | A | A | A | A | 0 / 2 | 5–2 | 77.78 | |
Metz | A | A | A | A | QF | 1R | A | A | A | 0 / 2 | 2–2 | 50.00 | ||
Bangkok | NH | A | QF | 2R | A | A | QF | A | 0 / 3 | 5–3 | 62.50 | |||
Shanghai | A | NH | SF | A | A | A | A | Not Held | 0 / 1 | 3–1 | 75.00 | |||
Kuala Lumpur | Not Held | SF | 0 / 1 | 3–1 | 75.00 | |||||||||
Stockholm | 2R | 1R | F | 2R | A | SF | A | F | SF | 0 / 3 | 16–7 | 69.57 | ||
Moscow | A | A | A | 1R | A | A | A | A | A | 0 / 1 | 0–1 | 0.00 | ||
Lyon | A | A | A | W | A | QF | A | W | A | 2 / 3 | 12–1 | 92.30 | ||
SR | 0 / 1 | 0 / 3 | 0 / 3 | 1 / 12 | 1 / 8 | 0 / 11 | 0 / 6 | 1 / 6 | 1 / 4 | 0 / 4 | 4 / 58 | N/A | 6.90 | |
Win-Loss | 1–1 | 0–3 | 8–3 | 19–11 | 11–7 | 18–11 | 14–6 | 21–5 | 9–3 | 4–4 | N/A | 105–52 | 66.88 | |
Career statistics | ||||||||||||||
Year | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | Win % | Career total | ||
ATP Tournaments Played | 1 | 4 | 6 | 27 | 19 | 22 | 16 | 20 | 22 | 14 | N/A | Career total: 151 | ||
ATP Finals Reached | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 4 | N/A | Career total: 15 | ||
ATP Tournaments Won | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | N/A | Career total: 5 | ||
Year End Ranking | 444 | 163 | 60 | 34 | 77 | 25 | 41 | 17 | 8 | N/A |
- A = did not participate in the tournament.
- LQ = lost in the qualifying draw
References
- ^ http://robinsoderling.se/about/
- ^ "Fanzone « Robin Söderling - Official Website of Swedish Tennisplayer Robin Söderling". Robinsoderling.se. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ "Greatest Upsets in Sports History" sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Retrieved on June 5, 2009
- ^ http://www.tennis.com/articles/templates/news.aspx?articleid=5761&zoneid=25
- ^ "Fanzone « Robin Söderling - Official Website of Swedish Tennisplayer Robin Söderling". Robinsoderling.se. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ a b "About « Robin Söderling - Official Website of Swedish Tennisplayer Robin Söderling". Robinsoderling.se. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ "Mother Nature relents long enough for Nadal to end match - Tennis - ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. 2007-07-04. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ YouTube Video
- ^ a b "Söderlings utbrott på huvuddomaren | Tennis | Sportbladet | Aftonbladet". Aftonbladet.se. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ Anders Sjöstrand anders.sjostrand@dn.se (2009-05-29). "Söderling blir Nadals nästa utmanare" (in Template:Sv icon). DN.se. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ "Rafael Nadal Lost at French Open - Tennis". Ballhype.com. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ "Inspired Gonzalez sees off Murray". BBC Sport. 2009-06-02. Retrieved 2009-07-31.
- ^ Anders Sjöstrand (2009-06-05). "Söderling klar för final" (in Template:Sv icon). DN.se. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ "Tennis | News | Soderling edges semi thriller". Sky Sports. 2009-06-05. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ "Soderling v Federer as it happened". BBC Sport. 2009-06-29. Retrieved 2009-07-31.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "Rafael Nadal wins Abu Dhabi exhibition title". BBC Sport. 2010-01-02. Retrieved 2010-01-04.
- ^ http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/robin-soderling-implodes-after-holding-two-set-lead-against-marcel-granollers/story-e6frg7mf-1225821381732
- ^ "Tennis - ATP World Tour - Rotterdam Sunday - Soderling Captures Fifth ATP World Tour Title". ATP World Tour. 2010-02-14. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ "Murray has no answer to sublime Soderling in California". More than the games. 2010-03-20. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ "Ljubicic stuns Nadal, Roddick beats Soderling". Reuters. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ "Berdych defeats Söderling in Miami semi-final - The Local". Thelocal.se. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ "Robin pulls out of Monte Carlo « Robin Söderling - Official Website of Swedish Tennisplayer Robin Söderling". Robinsoderling.se. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ "Tennis - ATP World Tour - Barcelona - Verdasco Extends Spanish Reign". ATP World Tour. 2010-04-25. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ "Soderling drops just two games to Dent in - One News Page | Sports". One News Page. 2010-05-26. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ "Soderling defeats Federer in French Open quarters - Associated Press - Tennis". Sporting News. 2010-06-01. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ Jonathan Overend (2010-06-01). "Jonathan Overend: Soderling ends amazing Federer run". BBC. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ Branch, John (2010-06-01). "Soderling Beats Federer at the French Open". NYTimes.com. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ "Steve Flink: The Streak is Over". Tennis Channel. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ Buddell, James. "Tennis - ATP World Tour - Roland Garros Friday - Soderling Battles Past Berdych For Second Shot At Title". ATP World Tour. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ 5:40 p.m. ET. "Nadal, Soderling set up juicy French final - Tennis". nbcsports.msnbc.com. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Tennis - ATP World Tour - Roland Garros Sunday - Nadal Reclaims No. 1 Ranking With Fifth Roland Garros Title". ATP World Tour. 2009-06-22. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=30&art_id=nw20100622194610138C459144
- ^ http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2010/06/Wimbledon/Wimbledon-Saturday-Soderling-Growing-In-Confidence.aspx
- ^ http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=11055033
- ^ http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2010/07/28/Bastad-Wednesday-Seppi-Reaches-QFs.aspx
- ^ http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2010/07/28/Bastad-Friday-Robredo-Beats-Verdasco.aspx
- ^ http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100718/sp_wl_afp/tennisatpsweesp
- ^ http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2010/08/32/Toronto-Thursday-Nalbandian-Beats-Soderling.aspx
- ^ http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2010/09/35/US-Open-Thursday-Soderling-Cruises-Past-Dent.aspx
- ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/7860489/Robin-Soderling-mocks-Rafael-Nadal.html
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CnX6k0snxA
- ^ "Soderling Overpowers Federer". Tennis.about.com. 2010-06-01. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ "From Federer to Soderling - strengths and weaknesses of the ATP top 10". Sportingo. 2009-11-11. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ a b Davis, Robert (2010-05-18). "Tennis - ATP World Tour - DEUCE - Heart Of A Warrior". ATP World Tour. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ http://www.espnstar.com/tennis/french-open/news/detail/item449871/Nadal-and-Soderling-on-weather-watch/
- ^ http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2010/06/04/robin-soderling-battles-back-to-french-open-final/
- ^ "Björn Borg says Swedish tennis will return". Tennistalk. 1991-01-01. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ "Head YOUTEK Radical Midplus Racquets". Tennis-warehouse.com. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
- ^ "Racket-bluffen | Tennis | Sportbladet | Aftonbladet". Aftonbladet.se. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Official Site
- Robin Söderling at the Association of Tennis Professionals
- http://thebiofile.com/2010/06/biofile-with-robin-soderling/
- {{ITF profile}} template using deprecated numeric ID.
- Robin Söderling at the Davis Cup