1 Response to rg09_soderling_gonzalez

1. Voo de Mar says:

   May 23, 2022 at 12:29 pm

   Points won by each set: | 32-22, 49-40, 30-35, 28-33, 31-24 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   26 % Soderling – 39 of 148
   29 % Gonzalez – 52 of 176

   The two hardest forehands on the tour in the first decade of the 21st Century and one of the biggest comebacks as far as Grand Slam semifinals are concerned: Soderling [25] trailed *1:4 (15/30) in the final set, and it was very tough to expect his victory given a poor five-set record then (3:7) as well as bigger experience in very important matches of his four years older opponent [12]. The Swede somehow managed to turn the things around with a backhand down the line – a low percentage shot gave him the point and he rather easily he took the final five games (needed three break points at 4-all)! Earlier on, he was six points away to clinch the match in 3 and 4 sets after saving a set point at *4:5 in the 2nd set. # One year later, Soderling wins a similar 5-set semifinal on Philipp Chatrier court which again reminds more hard- than a clay-court match.

   # Comparison of Soderling’s two French Open semifinals:
   2009: Soderling d. Gonzalez 6-3, 7-5, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4… 3 hours 28 minutes… Total points: 170-154 (aces: 16-22, FH winners: 33-21)
   2010: Soderling d. Berdych 6-3, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3… 3 hours 27 minutes… Total points: 155-140 (aces: 18-21, FH winners: 25-13)

   Log in to Reply