Monday, June 29, 2009

Live - Soderling v Federer

Roger Federer

Soderling v Federer live video

LATEST ACTION (all times BST)
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By Ben Dirs at Wimbledon

Soderling 4-6 1-0* Federer
Ace from Soderling, right on the T, and another to hold...

Soderling *4-6 Federer
Sixth ace from Federer, this time out wide on Soderling's forehand side, and there's another one to set up two set points. Soderling goes long with a backhand, and the world number two takes the opening set.

Soderling 4-5* Federer
Soderling looks to have passed Federer with a backhand from the back of the court, but it's called out. Soderling sends down another beefy serve to make it 30-30, but the second flaky forehand of the game hands Federer a break point... Soderling seems to have the point won next up, but needs three bites of the cherry at the net before sealing. Second double fault from Soderling - trying a bit too much again - but he saves again with a well executed, low backhand volley. Soderling goes long with a forehand volley, before sticking a forehand into the middle of the net. First break of the match, Soderling looking pretty ropey in that game.

Soderling *4-4 Federer
We've got a bit of cloud cover now over Centre Court, which is a welcome relief. New balls and Federer puts manners on one, pinging down his fifth ace of the match. The sun's back out - the relief was brief - and Federer bangs down another ace to hold.

Soderling 4-3* Federer
Soderling sends one down at 132mph, the fastest serve of the match, before digging out a crafty pick-up to go 40-0. The Swede goes for a biggun on second serve and double-faults, but follows up with an ace out wide on Federer's forehand wing.

Soderling *3-3 Federer
That's awesome from Soderling, who pings a vicious double-fisted backhand pass past the flailing Federer. Federer whips a forehand past Soderling from the back of the court, before winning the game with a peach of a backhand pass.

Soderling 3-2* Federer
Soderling looking double hard on serve at the moment. Signs of just how hot it is at SW19, Nadia Petrova's on her back with the old blood pressure thingy on her arm on Court Three. Another straightforward hold for the Swede... this could be a long one...

Soderling *2-2 Federer
No quarter given on serve here, although that's nice from Soderling, meaty on both wings and Federer finds the net with a backhand. And we've got a deuce, ripper of a backhand from the Swede. Fed pulls out a big delivery, before finding the net again. Another ace from Federer, straight down the middle, and it's another hold.


Soderling 2-1* Federer
Soderling serves up a couple of aces to hold with ease, both men firing on all cylinders... 34 degrees on Centre, which is hotter than Dubai... probably...

Soderling *1-1 Federer
First ace of the match from Federer - make that the second, the 37th and 38th of the tournament. Classic pick-up from Federer, that game over in a blink of the eye.

Soderling 1-0* Federer
Soderling won the spin, he's serving first. A couple of unforced errors from Federer, although Soderling's serve is working a treat. Ripper of a backhand pass from Federer to make it 40-15, before Fed finds the net for Soderling to hold
* denotes next to serve

1300: Here's Fed and Soderling. Fed's gone with the gold piping. David Garrido, my BBC colleague from the wireless, has written a poem about something or other. It's on the main live text.

1250: Players will be out in a few minutes. Umps is out, although Centre Court isn't as plump as I thought it would be. Two young ladies float past my window. Brollies go up, it really is that hot.

1245: It's actually so hot at Wimbledon that people are giving up halfway up the stairs on Centre Court. Only mad dogs and Englishmen would play in this. And Roger Federer and Robin Soderling. Replay of the French Open final today, Switzerland's world number two has beaten the Swede 10 times out of 10. No-one beats me 11 times in a row, says Soderling. Vitas Gerulaitis said something similar, after finally beating Bjorn Borg in their 17th match. An exhibition.


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