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11/24/10 3:13 AM | Kelli DeMario
World No. 4 Robin Soderling recorded his first victory at the ATP World Tour Finals on Tuesday, after taking out World No. 7 David Ferrer in straight sets. The Swede extended his series lead to 9-4 over the Spaniard.
Fourth seed Robin Soderling recovered after a sluggish start to the tournament, having upended seventh seed David Ferrer in straight sets, 7-5, 7-5. The Swede tallied 12 aces to seal a win in one hour and 42 minutes of competition.
A close opening set contained no service breaks for either player until the 12th game. Soderling missed three set points at 6-5, then closed with a well-timed forehand winner.
The 26-year-old took a 4-2 edge in set two, aided by a volley winner. Ferrer came back to 4-5, as Soderling committed a handful of unforced errors. Aggressive play earned a 6-5, match point for the Swede, who cemented the win once Ferrer pulled a backhand wide.
"I served very well, especially in the first set," said Soderling. "But it was tough. It was a close match, two really tough sets. I'm lucky that I won. I still feel that I have a lot of things that I can improve. Hopefully I can do that in two days' time and play a good match in my next match."
“I tried to do my best,” Ferrer explained. “I fought to won the second set. But Robin played better than me and he had more chances all the match. I am with confidence. I finish the season Top 10. I don't have any problem physical, mentality. I know with Andy (it) will be a very difficult match. I fight everything. I fight, and with Andy too.”
Soderling completed the match with 80% of his first-service points captured and three of 9 break chances converted.
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It's the never say die mentality of Ferrer, no matter who is up against, that so often brings to mind the analogy of a brave terrier. Once he has got hold of his prey he fights to the death. It is what makes all his matches engrossing to watch.
ed251137 , 11/24/10 10:34 AM
The match was close, any of the two could lose it, it so happened that it was Ferrer this time. It's not like Sod was blowing Ferrer off the court. I won't be surprised that the next time they meet, Ferrer will get the better of Sod.
luckystar , 11/24/10 11:56 AM
no way this match was close, did you watch? it was just the scoreline that was close. söderling had the upper hand all the time except for a short lapsis of concentration when he was serving for the match at 5-3. ferrer was 1/1 at breakpoints but söderling was after ferrer for most of the match.
croc , 11/24/10 12:55 PM
I saw the match. It was close, even when Sod had his bombing serves to help him hold his service game. Ferrer still maange to outplay Sod at the net to hold his own serve, without serving big, that's the skill and the fight of Ferrer. Of course Sod had his lapses in the second set and Ferrer capitalized on that to draw close, didn't many matches played out like that? It was close because Ferrer capitalized on his chances, he could lose 6-3 or 6-2 if he did not take his chances, so he made it close at 7-5.
luckystar , 11/24/10 1:58 PM
söderling had 10/15 netpoints won, which are very good stats for him. i don't call that being outplayed at the net.
ferrer capitalized on his chance, he didn't have chances...
i agree 6-3 6-2 would have been a scoreline that would have reflected the match better.
croc , 11/24/10 2:05 PM
I actually watched the match live in the O2 arena and I thought it was a close one! Ferrer played well (ok, he did not have Soderling's blistering serve), made some incredible shots and never gave up. It was an enetertaining match; shame that Ferrer could not take it the second set to a tie break.
Adri , 11/24/10 5:35 PM
Hi Adri, how was the atmosphere there at O2, must be great I think. Yes its a pity that Ferrer can't get a set at least, despite all his effort. Ferrer is such a fighter, he'll fight till the end, there's no lacking in effort on his part!
luckystar , 11/24/10 8:59 PM
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söderling was serving incredibly in the first. ferrer couldn't match his heavy groundstrokes and looked like a wee terrier up against a mighty northern wolf
croc , 11/24/10 9:31 AM