SPORTS

Soderling strolls past Davydenko into semis

June 02, 2009

Swede Robin Soderling built on the momentum that allowed him to beat Rafael Nadal and reached the the French Open semi-finals on Tuesday with a 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 drubbing of Russian 10th seed Nikolay Davydenko.

Soderling will play his first grand slam semi-final against either British world number three Andy Murray or Chile's Fernando Gonzalez, seeded 12th.

The 23rd seeded Soderling, who created one of the biggest upsets in tennis when he handed top seed Nadal his first defeat at Roland Garros in the fourth round, started confidently.

After shrugging off a couple of break points, he raced through the first set in 23 minutes, with Davydenko, whom he beat in their two previous encounters on clay, claiming only 10 points.

In the second set, Soderling earned the first break for 3-1 with a bludgeoning forehand, the very same weapon that helped him against Nadal.

With twice French Open semi-finalist Davydenko, who turned 28 on Tuesday, constantly running from side to side chasing after Soderling's winners it was barely surprising when he dropped his serve again to lose the second set.

The Swede continued to step confidently into the court in the third and was barely bothered on his service games by a clueless Davydenko.

Soderling, who held serve throughout, wrapped up a straightforward win on his second match point with his fourth ace after one hour 41 minutes.

Source: REUTERS
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