Soderling Hoists Bastad Title
Soderling wins second Bastad title
Top seed Robin Soderling has won his second Bastad title in three years when the world number five eased past second favorite David Ferrer in straight similar sets, 6-2, 6-2 to claim his fourth title of the season.
The crowd favorite broke the Spaniard five times, needing just one hour and nine minutes to clinch the 72,600 euro trophy. As for Ferrer, the world number six, who was chasing his third title of the season after Auckland and Acapulco successes, could only break the Swede once, but never manage to take any consistent lead. Soderling had a 51 first serve percentage compared to Spanish player’s who had 54 plus three aces.
Robin, who had proved to be in great shape throughout the entire week in Bastad, build himself 11 break-point opportunities, allowing Ferrer to save just five of them, insufficient for the Spaniard to stay in touch with the victory. Also, the hosts won 61 points, while David, who was unrecognizable at one point, finished the game with 39 only, something which cost him the victory.
The main favorite had previously defeated third seed Tomas Berdych 6-1, 6-0 in the semi finals and Potito Starace 6-3, 6-4 in the quarters. Overall, the Swede had a great week in Sweden, managing to keep the sheet clean throughout the entire event. On the other side, Ferrer was following a 6-1, 6-3 win against compatriot Nicolas Almagro who had been chasing his fourth season title (w. Costa do Sauipe, Buenos Aires, Nice).
Winner of the Brisbane, Rotterdam and Marseille tournaments, Soderling has gone 10-10 in finals, something which gives him a lot of confidence for the forthcoming US Open. Said the 26-year-old: “It has been a great week for me. I am really satisfied with the way I played, from the first point to the last point in this tournament. I played really good tennis and played my best tennis at the most important moments. It has been a dream week. I am going to work hard now and hopefully I can do well in the United States.”
Soderling had made his debut in Bastad with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Diego Junqueira, while Ferrer had started the event with a 6-2, 7-6 win against compatriot Pere Riba and a 6-1, 6-1 one over Andreas Haider Maurer. He is to pocket 38,200 euro plus 150 ATP points. As for Soderling he received a 72,600 euro check and 250 points ATP.
Bastad Prize Money and points:
Winner – 72,600 euro and 250 points ATP
Runner-up – 38,200 euro and 150 points ATP
Semi finalist – 20,700 euro and 90 points ATP
Quarter finalist – 11,800 euro and 45 points ATP
R16 – 6,940 euro and 20 points ATP
R32 – 4,120 euro and zero points
