French Open - Soderling happy with final appearance

Eurosport - Sun, 07 Jun 20:00:00 2009

Robin Soderling was simply content to have achieved the impossible at the French Open following his straight-sets defeat by Roger Federer in the final.

Robin Soderling of Sweden plays a shot during his men's final against Roger Federer of Switzerland at the French Open REUTERS - 0

The Swede, who lost 6-1 7-6(1) 6-4 to Federer, was the man to beat four-times champion Rafael Nadal for the first time at Roland Garros.

Soderling, seeded 23rd, sent shockwaves through the tennis world when he eliminated the Spanish world number one in four sets in the fourth round.

"Of course, beating Nadal was very nice for me," he said. "I think I made what was supposed to be impossible, beat him on clay in best of five, no one else had ever made it."

Relying on his big serve and devastating forehand, Soderling knocked out Nadal 6-2 6-7 6-4 7-6 in possibly the greatest shock ever at Roland Garros.

But the 24-year-old Swede could simply not live with Federer.

"I think the match was what I expected, I played him so many times," said Soderling, who now has lost 10 times to the world number two.

"I did not play aggressive enough. Every time I play against him, it's what I end up saying.

"Now I am learning that it's not that I play bad, it is that he makes me play bad.

"Roger's game does not suit my game at all, he does not let me be aggressive, he made me run a lot today. Instead, all matches against Rafa I dictated the points.

"Against Roger, I can't do that."

The Swede was upbeat about his future after reaching his first grand slam final.

"I always believe in myself but this gives me a lot moreconfidence," said Soderling, who won his three career titles on hardcourts.

"I think I can play well on all surfaces. I don't have a surface that does not suit my game. I had my best results indoors and now I feel very good for the grass."

Reuters

Comment 1 - 11 of 11

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  1. "And what I mean is this: for me, the
    real final­ was­ between Fed and DelPotro who
    put up real­ resistance­ before unravelling completely
    in the fifth­ set. When­ Fed came thru, his victory in the
    final was­ a foregone­ conclusion and this was obvious by
    the way­ he played in­ the two matches, feeling no pressure at
    ­ all in the­ final. After all, there is a reason­ DelPotro is No.5­ and Soderling No.25. "

    Yeah­ thats right, it was a done deal. So that was why the­ odds were virtually the same for both the matches. Good­ observation.
    I congratulate you on your huge profit, I­ trust you took out the biggest loan you could get for a­ pretty much 100% chance of winning for a 1.28 odds. How­ ever did you manage to do all those sick complicated­ equations to figure out that he was in fact 100% to win­ when not a single knowledgeable guy in the world­ thought he was over 80%? Please teach me?

    From Hans G, on Wed 10 Jun 1:07AM

  2. I'd also like to thank Robin Soderling for his­ performance on Roland Garros and wish him all the best­ luck for the future. He played a very good, enjoyable­ tennis, despite of loosing in the final to Federer. He­ has already done much beating tough opponents on his­ way to the final and there's no shame in loosing to­ Federer. Again, thanks Robin!

    From Drie K, on Mon 8 Jun 11:16AM

  3. Well done, to Soderling. He had an amazing tournament­ and should be incredibly proud of his run. Hope to see­ him more in future...

    From Vanessa, on Mon 8 Jun 7:47AM
  4. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    SODERLING IS SUCH AN IDIOT!!!

    From Mary Joyce, on Mon 8 Jun 6:35AM

  5. And what I mean is this: for me, the real final was­ between Fed and DelPotro who put up real resistance­ before unravelling completely in the fifth set. When­ Fed came thru, his victory in the final was a foregone­ conclusion and this was obvious by the way he played in­ the two matches, feeling no pressure at all in the­ final. After all, there is a reason DelPotro is No.5­ and Soderling No.25. There was really no excitement at­ all in the final, barring the moment when the madman­ came into the court.

    From Jimmy, on Mon 8 Jun 6:08AM

  6. After his short moment of glory Soderling can now join­ Baghdatis and other one-time finalist wonders in the­ footnotes of history.

    From Jimmy, on Mon 8 Jun 5:45AM

  7. Well done Soderling.. All the best in your tour.. Will­ be keeping an eye on you :-)

    From Bblee, on Mon 8 Jun 1:54AM

  8. I truly,felt like hugging,Robin after the match,infact­ i still,do.
    Jess xxx

    From jexbj, on Sun 7 Jun 11:44PM

  9. good luck for the future, Soderling. i hope this will­ boost your confidence and i hope you will not follow­ the path of martin verkerk, finalist 2003 or, the worst­ of all, the winner and the finalist of 2004, Gaudio and­ Coria. Especially Gaudio, the disgrace and scarface of­ tennis history..

    From Tonikum, on Sun 7 Jun 10:57PM

  10. So delighted for Fed but I wanted to congratulate Robin­ for his fantastic tournament.For listening to him on­ the french TV I must say that he's far from being a­ bad guy,he's very nice lad actually and paid­ tribute to both Roger and Rafa.Was a unforgetable­ French Open to Roger,I and all tennis fans.

    From Jeremy, on Sun 7 Jun 9:05PM

  11. Thank you Robin for all that you have achieved during­ the tournament. I wish you all the best for the next­ events.

    From Fdhdf, on Sun 7 Jun 8:38PM
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