Name - Robin Soderling
Age - 25 years
Birth Place - Tibro, Sweden
Height - 6 ft. 4 inches
Plays - Right handed
French Open played - 6
Best Result - 2009 Finalist
Best Career result - Winner - Rotterdam (ATP World Tour 500)
Titles - 5
Rank - 7

Swede Robin Soderling came into the limelight exactly 12 months ago at the historic Roland Garros when he toppled then four time defending champion Rafael Nadal from the singles competition of the French Open. One year goes by and the 'Scintillating-Swede' is once again in the headlines, for all the good reasons as he has taken out the defending champion for the second consecutive year, but this time the name has changed and is none other than the Swiss Maestro ROGER FEDERER...! Soderling's win over Nadal was not a flash in the pan, and it took the Swede 12 long months to prove it. His exhilarating shotmaking, penetrating serves and the ferocity that he brings to the matches fetches him the results he very well deserves.

Re-visit the magical moments of Soderling's triumph over Federer, click here.

The truth is that clay is one of the most favourable surfaces for Soderling. The Swede does not believe in engaging himself in long rallies. a kind of play that suits hard court events. But despite an atypical match strategy, the Swedish star is undoubtedly one of the most consistent players on the red clay.

Soderling did not have a remarkable european claycourt season. He suffered early exits in Monte Carlo and Rome. His only good performace came in Barcelona where he finished runner up to Spaniard Fernando Verdasco. But as soon as the red clay at Roland Garros welcomed the players for the second major, Soderling's game found it's groove and rhythm.

Soderling opened his campaign for the maiden Grand Slam title in Paris with a responsibility, to better the result from last year. Only time will tell whether he will emerge strong enough to pull wins over the best in the business or not. But the determination and the tenacity is very much apparent in the Swede's game, which is what separates the best players from the rest.

His opponent in the semifinals is the tall Czech Tomas Berdych, who has been in awe-inspiring form till now. It will be too early to focus our attention on Soderling's next match ups but the Swede will definitely have an edge over arch rival Rafael Nadal, whom he has beaten consecutively last year.

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