Paris:
Robin Soderling advanced to the French Open final on Friday for the second year in a row by rallying past Tomas Berdych 6-3, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.
The No. 5-seeded Soderling served 18 aces, overcame 63 unforced errors and swept the final four games of the 3 1/2-hour match. It was only the fifth five-set win in the Swede's career.
Berdych, seeded No. 15, had 21 aces, 42 winners and 41 unforced errors.
Soderling has a knack for upsets at Roland Garros, with victories over Rafael Nadal last year and Roger Federer this year. On Sunday, Soderling will play the winner of the second semifinal between four-time champion Nadal and Jurgen Melzer.
Soderling's only other Grand Slam final was at the French Open last year, when he lost to Federer.
Warm temperatures made for quick court conditions Friday, and the first semifinal quickly developed into a slugfest between two of the hardest hitters in tennis. Most points were short, and rallies were usually restricted to big swings from the backcourt, with few slices, drop shots, lobs or volleys.
Serving at 3-all in the final set, Berdych fell behind love-30 and tried a rare drop shot, but Soderling dashed forward and scooped a backhand winner. Two points later, Berdych dumped a backhand in the net to lose serve.
Soderling rallied from love-30 to hold for 5-3. Then, on the second point of the next game, he dashed from one sideline to the other to whack a running forehand past Berdych.
"Greatest shot of the match," said fellow Swede and three-time French Open champion Mats Wilander.
Match point came moments later, and when Berdych pushed a weary backhand wide, Soderling covered his face with his hands as his accomplishment sunk in.
The first service break of the match came in the fourth game, when Berdych clipped the net with a second serve. He soon had lost a set for the first time in the tournament.
But Soderling wobbled, missing with his forehand and losing serve twice in the third set. The second break made it 6-5, and the usually impassive Swede slammed his racket to the court. In the next game Berdych served out the set with four aces, the last at 139 mph (224 kph).
It was Soderling's turn to rally. He managed the lone break in the fourth set and evened the match after nearly three hours in the sun.
The No. 5-seeded Soderling served 18 aces, overcame 63 unforced errors and swept the final four games of the 3 1/2-hour match. It was only the fifth five-set win in the Swede's career.
Berdych, seeded No. 15, had 21 aces, 42 winners and 41 unforced errors.
Soderling has a knack for upsets at Roland Garros, with victories over Rafael Nadal last year and Roger Federer this year. On Sunday, Soderling will play the winner of the second semifinal between four-time champion Nadal and Jurgen Melzer.
Soderling's only other Grand Slam final was at the French Open last year, when he lost to Federer.
Warm temperatures made for quick court conditions Friday, and the first semifinal quickly developed into a slugfest between two of the hardest hitters in tennis. Most points were short, and rallies were usually restricted to big swings from the backcourt, with few slices, drop shots, lobs or volleys.
Serving at 3-all in the final set, Berdych fell behind love-30 and tried a rare drop shot, but Soderling dashed forward and scooped a backhand winner. Two points later, Berdych dumped a backhand in the net to lose serve.
Soderling rallied from love-30 to hold for 5-3. Then, on the second point of the next game, he dashed from one sideline to the other to whack a running forehand past Berdych.
"Greatest shot of the match," said fellow Swede and three-time French Open champion Mats Wilander.
Match point came moments later, and when Berdych pushed a weary backhand wide, Soderling covered his face with his hands as his accomplishment sunk in.
The first service break of the match came in the fourth game, when Berdych clipped the net with a second serve. He soon had lost a set for the first time in the tournament.
But Soderling wobbled, missing with his forehand and losing serve twice in the third set. The second break made it 6-5, and the usually impassive Swede slammed his racket to the court. In the next game Berdych served out the set with four aces, the last at 139 mph (224 kph).
It was Soderling's turn to rally. He managed the lone break in the fourth set and evened the match after nearly three hours in the sun.
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