Soderling Upsets Federer in French Open Quarter Final

As much as the world loves the pride of Switzerland, Roger Federer, everyone also likes a scrappy underdog. And, when that underdog is powerful Swede Robin Soderling, the man who took Nadal out of last year's French Open, the energy level rises one more notch. Since this is a replay of last year's championship match at Roland Garros, they might as well market this one as 'Federer vs Soderling 2 - The Revenge'!

Roger took his first service game easily, leaving Robin to prove his worth. Soderling didn't have such an easy time, having to defend against 2 break points and come up with some big serves in order to take his first service game. Both players settled into a rhythm; Federer holding serve easily (mostly to love), Robin fighting for his life but managing to hold serve eventually. At 4-3 with the Swede serving, Roger had 2 more break points, and Soderling couldn't stop them both. Federer would serve for the set, winning it with yet another love game. First set to Roger Federer, 6-3.

The second set started off as expected: Soderling held serve, and then broke Federer... wait, what did I just write?! Roger was up 30 to love in his first service game of the second set, but then started missing his first serves and making unforced errors. Robin was all over him, using power tennis and excellent returns to take four points in a row for the break. This wasn't in the script. Robin held his serve and it was 3-0 for the plucky Swede. Federer seemed to be struggling, and the game went to deuce before he managed to take it down. Robin held his serve to love, in a sudden reversal of roles. Again the world #1 had to win his service game after Soderling battled him to deuce. The rest of the set was uneventful until Robin had to serve it out. It was touch and go, but with the help of three huge first serves of over 135 MPH, Soderling salvaged the game from deuce and took the second set, 6-3. The telling stat: 71% of the Swede's first serves went in, at impressive speeds.

In a mild drizzle, Roger looked a little bit more irritated as he served the opening game of the third set. Robin was moving with ease and confidence, which is always frightening to see when you consider that this guy is a huge hitter. Serve was held through 4-3, with the only drama being over a close line call where the chair umpire hopped down to have a look, but Robin told him (in a nutshell) that he would call him if he needed him. Soderling went down to love-30 in his next service game, but won a couple of beautiful, scrappy points including a classic net exchange to hold serve. Under pressure, Federer managed to hold his service to make it 5-4, despite some lapses in the Swiss player's concentration. Adrenaline fueled overhitting caused Robin's next service game to be quite stressful. He managed to save a set point with a brilliant backwards, over the head put away for a Federer lob to take the game to deuce, and he then held serve. Mid way through Roger's service game at 5-5, the rain started to really pour down, and play was suspended. After about an hour and a quarter, play resumed. Soderling was on fire after the delay, with some great returns to break against a slightly sluggish Federer service game! Robin served out with confidence, pushing not one, but crazy sidespin ace out wide for aces. The Swede took the third set 7-5 with 15 clean winners, leaving the world's best tennis player in a deep, deep hole.

Roger held his service game easily to open the fourth set. Soderling got into trouble on his serve, needing to come up with a lot of second serves but coming up short in the end, and dropping the early break. But Robin showed that he has the heart of a lion. Taking advantage of a lapse in concentration from the world #1, Soderling won 4 out of 5 points, and broke right back. Both men held their serve easily until it started to rain again at 3-3. Another rain delay was in the cards. It was brief. When play resumed, Federer once again struggled on his serve, but managed to hold after saving multiple break points. Robin leveled after a little struggle. Roger seemed to get very tight in his next service game, and found himself two break points down. An unforced error later, and all Soderling needed to do was hold serve to make history yet again at the Roland Garros. He held easily in front of the stunned crowd.

Federer falls to Soderling, 6-3 3-6 5-7 4-6.

---

1) Eurosport Staff, "Subscription Tennis Coverage", Eurosport
2) Roland Garros Staff, "Live Results", Roland Garros Official Site