November 24,2009-Sweden’s Robin Soderling beat Rafael Nadal 6-4, 6-4 yesterday in a group B match on the second day of the season ending ATP tennis event at London’s O2 arena. This is Soderling’s second victory over Nadal this year. Nadal’s French Open run was ended by Soderling back in May.
“It’s a long way to go, but it’s a good start to beat the world No. 2,” Soderling said after the victory.
From the start, Soderling had Nadal on the run. The Swede’s flat forehand had the world’s number two scrambling around all corners of the court. Soderling went after Nadal’s forehand which produced two consecutive errors giving Soderling the first set 6-4.
Nadal started the second set by breaking Soderling’s serve for 2-1 but the Swede immediately got the break back. With his ground strokes deserting him, the Spaniard produced more errors than winners.
Soderling’s formula was quite simple. He served big and took every opening to unleash his hard forehand. It is not very smooth looking, but this style has proven before to give Nadal a difficult time.
Nadal told reporters. "He is a big player on this surface and if you are not completely calm and playing well in the important moments it's difficult. I'm not far away from my best level but I need more confidence."
Roger Federer‘s lead has increased to 1,145 points over Nadal. The world number one could now be just one win away from reclaiming the year-end No. 1 spot in the South African Airways 2009 ATP Rankings.
Should he win his remaining two round-robin matches and clinch the title, Nadal would gain a maximum of 1,300 points, meaning Federer would need to either win just one more round-robin match, or go 1-2 in round-robin play and reach the final to finish as ATP World Tour Champion.
Nadal thinks the contest is virtually over. “I think the chances I have are not to be No. 1. My level right now I think is not to be No. 1.”
In the other group B match, Novak Djokovic fought back to beat Nikolay Davydenko in three sets in the evening match by a score of 3-6, 6-4, 7-5. Defending champion Djokovic took 2 hours, 46 minutes in a rematch of the 2008 championship final.
Action goes back to group A as the day session of the ATP tennis year end tournament will have Juan Martin Del Potro taking on Fernando Verdasco. Later the evening session will feature hometown favorite Andy Murray battling Roger Federer in a contest that is sure to have the London crowd rocking the o2 arena.
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