Robin Soderling and History.
Robin Soderling is on the verge of creating history for the second consecutive year by making it to the finals of the French Open. However the most important question is will Soderling create history for himself or for his opponents as he has done in the past.
In 2009 Soderling created history by beating clay court specialist Rafael Nadal. The loss was one of the biggest upsets in the history of the game as Rafael Nadal, the then defending champion and world number one was on a 31 match winning streak having won four consecutive French Open titles. Soderling after shutting out Nadal cruised to the French Open final in 2009 only to lose to the worthy Roger Federer. Soderling's loss to Federer was historic as it allowed Federer to achieve a rare Grand Slam in Mens Tennis. The victory also put Federer on par with Pete Sampras as the all time leader with 14 Grand Slams. Federers victory over Soderling boosted his confidence to such an extent that he went on to reclaim the Wimbledon to become the all time leader with 15 Grand Slams and in the process he went on to reclaim his World Ranking.
Now In 2010 Nadal finds himself in the same situation Federer was in the previous year, and against the same opponent Soderling. A win for Nadal against Soderling would end Federers reign at the top of rankings and also boost his confidence levels as Nadal has never won a Grand Slam after losing to Soderling in 2009 French Open.
Soderling is the underdog in this French Open final given the fact that he is through to the finals after a tough energy sapping five setter while Nadal eased through to the finals with a straight set win. However Nadal too is under pressure because he has never won a Grand slam after his loss to Soderling in 2009 French Open but what is in Nadal favour is the pressure to add to his Grand Slam collection would push him to give the best. Another thing in Nadal's favour is the experience of having played in 8 Grand Slams Finals of which he tasted success in 6 of them.
Robin Solderling should understand that making it to the final of a Grand Slam is not easy more so in a era dominated by Roger Federer and to smaller extent by Rafael Nadal and therefore it is high time that Soderling makes this French Open final count to win his first and probably the only Grand Slam of his career. Soderling shut out defending champions and world number ones en route to making two consecutive finals and therefore is the more deserving of the two to win the 2010 French Open.
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