I Ain't Yokin'

I just realised something: Robin Soderling has not lost a match to someone not named Roger Federer since about May. Now that is pretty whoa-worthy.

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Think about it - Madrid. He loses to the great Roger F, who then goes on to beat Nadal in the final. Then he has his spectacular run at Roland Garros, where he comes back from the jaws of defeat against Gonzalez, pounds Davydenko into the ground and, oh yeah, beats the unbeatable Nadal in four sets on the red clay, before going on to lose to the Swiss Mister in the final. And then Wimbledon - he plays Federer tight for three sets, but the Maestro comes out on top once more.

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Remove Roger Federer from the equation, and Robin Soderling would be tearing up the tour right now.

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He's kept his winning streak alive in Bastad, and this time there is no Federer there to stop him, Roger not playing because a) he's busy rubbing Mirka's feet and waiting to meet BabyFed and b) he's sensible and plays tournaments that are congruous with their place in the tour calendar. Soderling had a solid win over fellow Swede Andreas Vinciguerra in the semis and will face Juan Monaco in the final. Monaco is a solid claycourter who absolutely pummelled Tommy Robredo in the semis, but you have to like Soderling to come through this one and win the title. He doesn't lose to anyone not named Federer, it seems... and he ain't yokin' about this tennis lark.

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It's going to be interesting to see how he goes on hard courts - he performed well on grass, so I see no reason why his run of form can't continue. The yoke might be on the rest of the field... watch out for Robin!

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Today's Results

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Catella Swedish Open (Bastad)

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Robin Soderling def. Andreas Vinciguerra, 6-1 7-6 (8-6)

Juan Monaco def. Tommy Robredo, 6-0 6-2

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Mercedes Cup (Stuttgart)

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Victor Hanescu def. Fabio Fognini, 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 6-2

Jeremy Chardy def. Nicolas Kiefer, 6-3 7-5

Nicolas Kiefer def. Lukasz Kubot, 6-2 6-1

Jeremy Chardy def. Mischa Zverev, 7-6 (7-4) 6-1

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Internazionali Femminili di Tennis di Palermo (Palermo)

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Flavia Pennetta def. Tathiana Garbin, 6-1 6-1

Sara Errani def. Anna-Lena Groenefeld, 6-3 4-6 6-1