Soderling wins Rotterdam title

Reuters - Sun, 14 Feb 15:07:00 2010

Swedish third seed Robin Soderling clinched the World Indoor Tournament title when opponent Mikhail Youzhny withdrew injured when trailing 6-4 2-0.

Robin Soderling Rotterdam - 0

Youzhny had complained about a slight leg injury after his stunning win over top seed Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.

However, the Russian began the final by breaking Soderling's service game.

The Swedish world number eight recovered immediately, breaking Youzhny twice to take the first set and after an early break in the second the 2007 champion gave up.

It was Soderling's fifth career title and came after a disappointing start to the year with first round exits in Chennai and at the Australian Open.

"I came here without any confidence and didn't play well in my first two matches," said Soderling.

"But my coach, Magnus Norman, has been great this week and telling me that even when I wasn't playing great I still am tough to beat.

"The best medicine to regain confidence is winning matches and especially against good opponents.

"I feel sorry for Mikhail as it is never easy to retired injured and especially not in a final," he added.

Soderling, 25, became the first Swedish winner in Rotterdam since Anders Jarryd won the title in 1993.

For Youzhny, it was a disappointing end to the tournament after the hard work he delivered to get to the final - beating Gael Monfils in a three-hour spectacle and needing more than two hours to upset Djokovic.

"I felt the pain yesterday already but then I still could play," said Youhzny.

"But today it got worse. It feels like a muscle injury around the hip but it could also be a nerve.

"It is not surprising that so many players are injured early in the year if you see the tough ATP calendar."

Reuters

Comment 1 - 9 of 9

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  1. Marzhan is right. Joker is the best, though THE best­ LOSER !

    From David, on Tue 16 Feb 8:17

  2. you are Great Robin !! keep it up and i always support­ you....good luck !!

    From bawihtei, on Tue 16 Feb 7:45

  3. Novak is the best anyway!

    From Marzhan, on Tue 16 Feb 6:03

  4. Soderling boy, this is definitely your year. Get your­ acts together. Develop your self confidence. Remember­ everyone is beatable any day. Your place is with the­ best 10 stay there. But do not be greedy by playing too­ many tournaments and getting "burnt out" ­ like our friend......you know him? whose only ambition­ is to beat Federer the "GOAT"..[Greatest Of­ ALL Time].Now he gets sucked by everybody, every time,­ every surface, clay or no clay.
    Dr. Steve Arogbonlo,­ Kano.

    From Steve Arogbonlo, on Tue 16 Feb 2:59

  5. I feel sorry for those who bought the ticket to the­ match..

    From Half A Brain, on Tue 16 Feb 1:02

  6. what a gimp

    From webbski, on Mon 15 Feb 13:51

  7. Very unfortunate.

    From Jimmy, on Mon 15 Feb 12:53

  8. Gotta love Robin Soderling.

    From logicsurvives, on Mon 15 Feb 11:24

  9. Youzhny retired...i had the feeling it will come.­ Gratulerer, Sodserling, det var et fin job!

    From Ray V, on Mon 15 Feb 7:49
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