Soderling Claims Third Title Of Season

© Getty ImagesRobin Soderling has a 17-1 record in 2011.

World No. 4 Robin Soderling is proving nigh on unstoppable at the start of the 2011 ATP World Tour season as he clinched his third title in four tournaments with a 6-7(8), 6-3, 6-3 victory over Marin Cilic in the final of the Open 13 in Marseille.

The Swede has opened the season with a 17-1 match record, also winning titles at the Brisbane International (d. Roddick) in the first week of the season and at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam (d. Tsonga) last week. His only defeat came at the hands of Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov in five sets in the fourth round of the Australian Open.

“It’s of course a very nice feeling," said Soderling. "Winning three tournaments in four tries is something I’ve never been close to before. It’s the best possible start. I’ve won many matches and only lost one, unfortunately in the fourth round in Melbourne. It’s a great start and I really hope it can continue this way."

It is the first time in his career that the 26-year-old Soderling has won three ATP World Tour titles in a season. As winner of the ATP World Tour 250 indoor hard-court tennis tournament, he added a further 250 South African Airways 2011 ATP Ranking points to his tally and received €93,450 in prize money.

Top seed Soderling had not dropped a set in three matches to reach the final, but found himself up against it when Cilic broke serve in the first game. While Soderling was able to fight back and level at 4-4, Cilic had the edge in the ensuing tie-break and took a one-set lead.

Soderling struck back in the second set with an early break of serve and despite relinquishing his lead midway through the set, reeled off three straight games from 3-3 to level the match. He then converted one of his three break points in the third set to clinch victory in just over two hours.

“It was tough," admitted Soderling. "I was a little bit unlucky that he broke me in the first game and then he played really well. I wasn’t aggressive enough and really let him dictate the rallies in the first set. I told myself I needed to be on top of things a little bit more and be more aggressive and it really worked; the second set was really good for me. I’m really proud the way I turned things around.”

It marked Soderling’s ninth ATP World Tour title from 19 tour-level finals. The Tibro native had finished runner-up in Marseille (l. to Hrbaty) on his debut in 2004. 

World No. 28 Cilic was contesting his ninth ATP World Tour final (5-4 record) and his first since finishing runner-up in Munich (l. to Youzhny) last May. The Croatian returned to top form this week in Marseille, having won back-to-back matches only three times in the past six months.

“For a set and a half I was playing really well and in a high level; I was able to stay with him physically and dictating the game," reflected Cilic. "I was extremely happy with the performance I played. In the seventh game of the second set, when I lost serve, that changed the momentum a bit. He got a step in front of me and I was all the time behind, looking to make changes to get back in the game. He was really playing good in the second part of the match.

“I’m really pleased with this week and also the past two or three weeks, starting with the Australian Open. That shows me I’m a little bit more in the game and playing better. It’s, of course, a little bit of a relief to come to the final after almost a year. I think I played well all week. There is no reason why I should stop here.”