ABU DHABI: Robin Soderling recovered from a set down to dispatch top-ranked Roger Federer 6-7 (6-8), 7-6 (7-1), 6-2 and secure a place in the final of the Capitala World Tennis Championships at the Zayed Sports City Friday.
The Swedish No. 8 will face Rafael Nadal, who advanced after he beat his Spanish Davis Cup teammate David Ferrer 7-6 (7-3), 6-3.
Soderling and Federer held serve throughout the opening two sets of their match, each winning a tie-breaker, before Soderling broke the Swiss in the third and seventh games of the third set.
Last year, Soderling broke into the top 10 on the back of two wins over Nadal. He first beat him in the fourth round of the French Open to end the Spaniard’s 31-match winning streak, but went on to lose to Federer in the final.
Today’s win over Federer was his first in 13 games.
“I always said the more times I play him, the closer I’ll get, and here I am today. So far so good, but it’s going to be a long season for sure, hopefully I’ll get to play against Roger a few more times,” said Soderling.
“Now when I go out there I feel more confident having beaten all the top guys. I can now believe that I belong up there.” After losing his first match of the new season Federer praised Soderling’s performance.
“Magnus (Norman), his coach, has been doing a great job with him and I’m sure we will be playing a number of times in the future. It was hard to play him in the very first match of the year, but I had fun,” Federer said.
The winner of the competition will take home a purse of $250,000.
Oudin unafraid
Meanwhile in Perth, US youngster Melanie Oudin believes she and teammate John Isner can be a threat in the mixed teams Hopman Cup, starting on Saturday.
The Americans are seeded seventh in the unique eight-nation event, but Oudin showed at last year’s US Open and Wimbledon that she was more than capable of springing a surprise.
Oudin reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, defeating Jelena Jankovic in the process, and then went one better at the US Open, reaching the quarter finals, with Hopman Cup rival Elena Dementieva and former world No.1 Maria Sharapova among her scalps.
Speaking here on Friday, the 18-year-old Oudin said she didn’t fear any of her Hopman cup rivals.
“I pulled it off at the US Open and maybe we can pull it off here,” she said.
“Everyone in the draw is tough but I think doing well at Wimbledon and the US Open this past year really helps my confidence.
“Going into (tournaments) now I won’t be afraid who I play in the first round or within the draw.” Oudin, ranked 48th in the world, and Isner open their Hopman Cup campaign against Spaniards Tommy Robredo and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez on Sunday.
Playing the seasoned Martinez Sanchez will be a new experience for Oudin.
“I’ve never played her before but I know she’s a lefty and I know she’s got a strong serve and is really good at doubles and she is going to be coming into the net against me a lot,” she said.
“It should be a good match.” The Americans then face top seeds and home side Australia on Tuesday, which will pit Oudin against world No.13 Samantha Stosur.
Oudin and Isner will make an interesting pairing in the often deciding mixed doubles rubbers here, with Isner standing 206cm (6.9 feet) and Oudin just 168cm (5.6 feet).
“Fifteen inches is quite a big difference and I think it’s going to be pretty funny when we play mixed doubles,” Oudin said.
“I’ve played (mixed doubles) only a few times but I’ve had a really good time when I’ve played so I’m looking forward to it and it should be fun.”
Oudin said she had taken great confidence out of her results in 2009 and was looking forward to continuing to rise up the rankings this year.
