Federer sees off Söderling at Wimbledon
Switzerland's Roger Federer has once again put paid to the ambitions of Robin Söderling, again defeating the Swede in straight sets just weeks after the French Open final.
Federer thrived in 35-degree temperatures to clinch an 11th win in 11 meetings against big-serving Söderling on Monday and reach the Wimbldon quarter-finals.
In a repeat of the French Open final, where the great Swiss clinched a record-equalling 14th Grand Slam title, Federer won 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/5) over the man who dramatically ended Rafael Nadal's Roland Garros reign.
Federer, chasing a sixth Wimbledon title, will be appearing in his 25th Grand Slam quarter-final where he'll face Croatia's Ivo Karlovic, who has fired 102 aces in three rounds, or Spanish left-hander Fernando Verdasco.
"Today was really a serving contest, there weren't many rallies so it's hard to judge these kind of matches," said Federer.
"But my form was great, I was moving well. He served a double fault in the third set tie-break otherwise it could have gone four sets."
Söderling, who also lost in straight sets in the second round at Wimbledon in 2008 to Federer, paid heavily for a sloppy service game when he cracked to trail 4-5 courtesy of a netted forehand.
Federer clinched the opener when the Swede went long with a second service return.
The Swede dropped just three points on serve in the second set, but Federer was the more composed in the tie-breaker, refusing to give Soderling the pace on which he thrives.
Söderling finally carved out his first break points of the match in the ninth game of the third set, but Federer stood firm to lead 5-4.
The Swede 13th seed glanced a chance at 5/4 in the tie-breaker, but Federer went to 5/5 and then match point when his opponent served a third double fault.
The match was Federer's when the Swede went wide with a dispirited drive.
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Federer thrived in 35-degree temperatures to clinch an 11th win in 11 meetings against big-serving Söderling on Monday and reach the Wimbldon quarter-finals.
In a repeat of the French Open final, where the great Swiss clinched a record-equalling 14th Grand Slam title, Federer won 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/5) over the man who dramatically ended Rafael Nadal's Roland Garros reign.
Federer, chasing a sixth Wimbledon title, will be appearing in his 25th Grand Slam quarter-final where he'll face Croatia's Ivo Karlovic, who has fired 102 aces in three rounds, or Spanish left-hander Fernando Verdasco.
"Today was really a serving contest, there weren't many rallies so it's hard to judge these kind of matches," said Federer.
"But my form was great, I was moving well. He served a double fault in the third set tie-break otherwise it could have gone four sets."
Söderling, who also lost in straight sets in the second round at Wimbledon in 2008 to Federer, paid heavily for a sloppy service game when he cracked to trail 4-5 courtesy of a netted forehand.
Federer clinched the opener when the Swede went long with a second service return.
The Swede dropped just three points on serve in the second set, but Federer was the more composed in the tie-breaker, refusing to give Soderling the pace on which he thrives.
Söderling finally carved out his first break points of the match in the ninth game of the third set, but Federer stood firm to lead 5-4.
The Swede 13th seed glanced a chance at 5/4 in the tie-breaker, but Federer went to 5/5 and then match point when his opponent served a third double fault.
The match was Federer's when the Swede went wide with a dispirited drive.
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