Soderling has won one ATP tour final this year

Robin Soderling enhanced his chances of reaching the season-ending ATP finals with a first-round win over Giovanni Lapentti in the Stockholm Open.

The Swede cruised to a 6-3 6-0 win as he seeks to claim one of the two remaining spots for the London event.

The French Open runner-up is currently ninth in the rankings, trailing Spain's Fernando Verdasco by 175 points.

Cyprus' Marcos Baghdatis continued his comeback from injury with a 6-4 6-2 win over third seed Juan Carlos Ferrero.

There were no such problems for second seed Tommy Haas, who defeated France's Florent Serra 6-3 6-4.

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Top seed Soderling is also aiming to become the first home player since Mats Wilander in 1983 to win titles at both Bastad and Stockolm the same season.

"It would be a great thing, that's for sure," said the world number 10.

"I love playing at home. I don't really feel any extra pressure, I just know the fans are willing me on."

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