Posts Tagged ‘Jo-Wilfried Tsonga’
Soderling keeps his title in Rotterdam
Swede Robin Soderling, No. 4 worldwide, has retained his crown at the tournament in Rotterdam, the eighth title of his career in Sunday’s final by defeating the French Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (No. 18), 6-3, 3-6, 6 -3, after 1:23 of play
Robin Soderling
Soderling, seeded No. 1, who had never lost a single round in three previous encounters against the French (No. 8), has faltered this time conceding the second set.
But the Swede then confirmed he is one of the best players in the world indoors by removing the French No 2 who had him over to the finals of a tournament since his victory in October 2009 in Tokyo.
Soderling, 26, is the fourth player to win twice in Rotterdam after the American Arthur Ashe, the Swede Stefan Edberg and French Nicolas Escude.
Already a finalist in 2008, Soderling adopted the Dutch tournament: “I feel so good here: this is the first time I retain a title,” he said after winning his eighth ATP title (in 18 finals).
“Just like my previous matches this week, I was abused, but I was very sturdy at important points. Win here, it’s magic, because the tournament was really found,” added finalist at Roland Garros in 2009 and 2010.
Tsonga has recognized that “Soderling deserves his victory.” “He was just better. He played well and especially well served,” said French.
A win for Tsonga to his return
The French Jo-Wilfried Tsonga defeated Feliciano Lopez 7-6 (4), 6-3, in the first round of the Shanghai Masters. This is his first win since his comeback after a three-month absence due to injury.
Both players have maintained their service throughout the first set. But Tsonga took control in the tiebreaker with two aces and a backhand passing.
He made sure the set with a forehand winner on the line.
Tsonga, seeded 12th, won the only break of the second set and he sealed his victory when the Spaniard sent a backhand out.
Tsonga had banked in the first round last week in Tokyo, his first tournament since he injured his knee in his quarter-final against Andy Murray at Wimbledon.
In another match, Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez defeated Argentina’s Eduardo Schwank 6-7 (8), 6-2, 6-4.