Robin Soderling Wins First Masters Title and Andy Murray’s No. 4 Ranking

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: November 14, 2010

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Gael Monfils had a new face on when he walked into the boiling Paris cauldron of the last Masters showdown of the ATP year.

His long angular features were deeply carved by an intense circle of light, and the look spoke volumes. This was a man determined not to walk away, for a second consecutive year, holding the runner-up trophy.

Behind him came the piercing Scandinavian eyes of a man completely centred on the moment: it was the first time Robin Soderling had ever walked into a Masters final.

If they were track and field athletes, Monfils would be pacing the start line for the 200m or rocking on the take-off for the long jump, while Soderling would be striding around the outfield with a javelin in his fist, reciting the sequence of movements needed to find the perfect flight.

Differences aside, though, they have much in common—same height, both right-handed, both growing into their best tennis in their mid-20s, both with one title in 2010. They have breathed the rarefied air of top-10 status, yet neither has won a Masters title. And they both won their chances to do so by winning two long and dramatic semi-final matches in which they faced match points and survived.

So much was expected.

And with the first point, it seemed as though Monfils would start the way he had against Federer. On the Soderling serve, he chased the shortest of drop shots and nicked away a winner.

But the Swede had the look of a man with not a doubt in his head. Where he had been thrown out of his comfort zone by Michael Llodra’s serve-and-volley attack, the time and height on the ball that Monfils offered him was like milk and honey, and the big hitting kicked in. First game won.

Not only did Soderling take control on his own serve but he also quickly attacked Monfils’ and went a break up.

He appeared, even at this early stage, to be putting into practice some new tric...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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