BBC Sporttennis

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Related BBC sites

Page last updated at 14:30 GMT, Wednesday, 25 November 2009

Djokovic v Soderling as it happened

LATEST UPDATES (all times GMT)

606: DEBATE

To get involved text us on 81111 with TENNIS before your message. (Not all contributions can be used; UK mobiles only; network rates apply)

By Mark Ashenden

1644: That's that for now. I'll be gutted if you don't come back after your supper, dinner, tea, whatever you call it. It's Nadal and Davydenko on court and showing off their skills at the O2 not before 2045. Don't you go anywhere. I'm off for a snack and practice my HulaHoop balancing skills. See you bit later.

1642: Who pops up for a few words about their beloved son? It's only Mr and Mrs Federer. After seeing Roger pick up the trophy earlier for his number one status, mummy Feds says: "We are happy to be in London and enjoy this special moment - we are delighted he has regained the number one position."

1636: Soderling will now face Nikolay Davydenko in his final match on Friday. But don't you go forgetting tonight's match between Rafael Nadal and Nikolay Davydenko. Should be a cracker. Get in your predictions now.

1632: So that was easy. Soderling is almost into the semis and he's a happy boy. He rocks up to the microphone and says: "I feel pretty good right now. I played a great match - I didn't start perfectly but I served well. After 7 or 8 games I played better - the second set was just great."

BBC Sport's Caroline Cheese Tweeting from the O2 Arena: "This match is proof, if any were needed, that the season is too long. Djokovic - admittedly prone to fitness issues - is a spent force"

Djokovic 6-7 (5-7) 1-6 Soderling
Djoko is fighting hard but his service game goes to deuce. Soderling gets pushed to the back and at last Djoko ventures up to the net and smashes it down for a rare winner. Soderling scrambles to the right side of the court and some how scoops the ball down the line to get a match point. Djoko saves his bacon for another couple of points by planting a cracker down Soderling's forehand line. Game, set and match. Easy pickings for the Swede.

Djokovic* 6-7 (5-7) 1-5 Soderling
Get the kettle on folks, this is going to be over soon. Sooner than soon in fact.

BBC Sport's Piers Newbery on Twitter: "The start of a set is like when a band says "this one's off our new album" - everyone heads for the bar. Super Rob looks fresh, NoDjo not so

Djokovic 6-7 (5-7) 1-4 Soderling*
Oh deary deary deary. Djoko's down. Another break and Soderling (still need a name for the boy) is in complete control. Two games away from another top scalp, following his demolition of Nadal on Monday.

BBC Sport's Caroline Cheese Tweeting from the O2 Arena: "Djokovic looks exhausted. Hard to see him coming back now. Victory will just about put Soderling into the semis"

Djokovic* 6-7 (5-7) 1-3 Soderling
Soderling's serve staying strong and his backhand is keeping Djoko at bay. More brow mopping from Djoko and he looks a broken man. Easy. He's a break up and looks stronger, fitter, happier, need any more? Djoko needs a miracle and some new legs.

Djokovic 6-7 (5-7) 1-2 Soderling*
Djoko tries to mix it up with more dropshots but it's not working. More frustration from the Serb and the Swede is on top and there you go - it's the first break. Djoko's got it all to do now. He is not a happy boy.

Djokovic 6-7 (5-7) 1-1 Soderling*
And before you know it, it's one apiece.

Djokovic 6-7 (5-7) 1-0 Soderling*
Djoko keeps his cool and takes his serve game at the start of the second set.
* Denotes next to serve.

1603: Keep all your comments and thoughts coming in. I'm trying to use as many as I can. Text 81111,606 or Twitter

BBC Radio 5 Live
Annabel Croft on BBC Radio Five live sports extra: "Well that was impressive - that tells you how strong Soderling is mentally these days. A physically and emotionally draining set from both players - but it is Djokovic who is absolutely screaming at his camp in the crowd. He is not happy at all."

Text in your views on 81111
Thornie, Birmingham via text on 81111: "Pat Cash wrote in the Sunday Times last week that Soderling would be just happy to turn up and play his three matches and go home. Did he forget what a great record this man has indoors and he is only getting better. Soderling to win the whole thing!"

FIRST SET:

Djokovic 6-7 Soderling
Soderling takes the first one and Djoko is screaming as he loses the next. I'd have had him favourite for this tie-break but he's got to keep his cool. Time for Djoko to crank up the power rather than the strops and he's got it back to 2-2. Time for Soderling to flip out. Tense times. Djoko takes three points in a row and then carries on shouting at his imaginary friend. It's 3-3 after an intense half a dozen points. Soderling probably deserves this set - just. But it's not over yet. Thought I'd throw that in. Both players working up their slice and Djoko gets his nose in front after a fab rally. He has his hands over his face as he plants one long to make it 4-4. Emotional times. This is tight. And Soderling goes to 6-4 with Djoko's feet sliding all over the shop. One set point saved. And BAM WHAM - first set to Soderling.

Djokovic 6-6 Soderling*
Djoko cruises through his service game. You like tie-breaks? Close your eyes, shut your ears if you don't. We've got one.

BBC Radio 5 Live
Annabel Croft on BBC Radio Five live sports extra: "Huge relief for Novak to get through that game, it was a monumental effort. He kept on fighting and it paid off... saying that, it looks like there's a long way to go in this match."

Djokovic* 5-6 Soderling
After fluffing those three set points Soderling settles his nerves and comes out fighting. A 116mph second serve takes him to 30-0. A cute lob and then a double-handed drop shot has Soderling scampering to the net and Djoko's right back in the game. And another drop pays dividends. Nice again. Call me old fashioned but I do like it when players mix it up. Deuce time. Soderling has the whole court at his mercy and what does he do? He plonks it wide. Shocking. Sloppy. Call it what you will but Djoko's turned this around. Not for long though. Super smashing topsy-turvy tennis times. Try saying that after a Pimms and a strawberry in your mouth. Soderling comes through. Just.

Djokovic 5-5 Soderling*
Ohhh first double fault and Soderling is sniffing a break and the set. A big second serve but it's not enough. Three set points. An ace saves him - for now. Big breath Djoko. You'll need some more of those big boomers sir. Soderling recovers brilliantly from a fine serve but then slashes a wild one wide and long. And now it's deuce. A few nervy wobbles there. Best match of the rally has their trainers squeaking like squeaky things. Soderling plonks wide and Djoko pumps his first to get the advantage. And he hangs on. Phew. Good effort that.

BBC Sport's Caroline Cheese Tweeting from the O2 Arena: "Djoko lets the racquet have it after a missed backhand. Tight match this. I am absorbed"

Djokovic* 4-5 Soderling
It's time for Soderling to make the errors, but then a challenge by the Swede has the Serb grumbling. There was me thinking Mr Grumpy had got the smile back on his face. Soderling in control though but then lets me down, lets the O2 down, lets Sweden down, by blazing wide. No problem though as he soon wraps the game up. Bit of pressure on Djoko's serve now.

Djokovic 4-4 Soderling*
Soderling is a little unlucky with a dribble the wrong side of the tape at 0-15 and Djoko serves up some big second serves to grab the game. Tight isn't it? Isn't it?

Get involved on 606
gaz2612blue on 606: "Soderling will win a Grand Slam next year, not sure which one."

Djokovic* 3-4 Soderling
I blink, sip my tea, nibble my popcorn (I'm not kidding - a mini pack) and it's game over.

BBC Radio 5 Live
Annabel Croft on BBC Radio Five live sports extra: "Novak Djokovic really is pummelling away at Soderling's backhand side now, drawing out the errors."

Djokovic 3-3 Soderling*
Soderling is not as elegant as his opponent but it's working right now - he's pushing Djoko to all sides of the court and it's a good start to this game. A backhand drive flies into the top part of the tape. Djoko looks like a man who'd be happier strolling through Hyde Park right now. He tries a drop shot on game point but it doesn't even reach the net. Mmmmm. Not great. A cracking rally leaves it deuce after another lightweight drop attempt from Djoko. A slower serve and it kicks up and he gets the game. Hard work that.

Djokovic* 2-3 Soderling
Ace number five gives Soderling the edge at the start and then a challenged line call goes his way by a mouse's hair width. Djoko messes up another and he tries bouncy bouncy with his racket. The crowd likes that but he looks a little annoyed. Game over.

Djokovic 2-2 Soderling*
Djoko (yep it's less letters and easier). C'mon - I've had a few years of being called Ash so I'm sure Djoko won't mind. His trainers look like they're made out of tiger skin - sure they're not though. Don't worry. He takes the first two points and should go 40-0 up but crashes a ball into the net from a great position. He looks stronger from the back but too many errors. A big serve gets him out of trouble. All square.

Djokovic* 1-2 Soderling
Djokovic gets off to a ripping start and is putting Soderling under pressure. It's all about the booming forehands and the Serb is being rewarded with occasionally mixing it up. Backhand slice is causing the Swede some problems and it goes to deuce. It's turned around though. Boom. Another ace and Soderling sneaks ahead.

Djokovic 1-1 Soderling*
A very gentle one that one and it goes to Djokovic. No fireworks just yet.
* Denotes next to serve.

Djokovic* 0-1 Soderling
Soderling up first to wind up his serve. His massive frame is bouncing up and down on the baseline and grabs the first three points but Djokovic hits back with a blinding backhand drive to the back line. Sweet. A loose one from the Swede sends it long and it's deuce. A looping ace and another one - that's his third - and it's first blood to Soderling. Quite lively for an opener.

BBC Sport's Caroline Cheese Tweeting from the O2 Arena: " Epic doubles out of the way, on to the singles: if Djoko beats Soderling this afternoon, Nadal will go out if he loses to Davydenko tonight"
Who needs to tell you about the match connotations when you've got Caroline Cheese on board.

1450: A few stats for you. Djokovic is rank number 3. Soderling is 9th and got into this tournament because of Andy Roddick's injury. I know you knew that. And the head-to-head? Any guesses? It's the Serb all the way. 5-0. Soderling is two inches taller at 6'4". That's enough of that.

1447: The toss. First decision goes Soderling's way. Warm-up time. Still looks a bit dark in there. They need a few 50p coins for the meter?

1445: Soderling comes into the arena and looks a little overawed but cool. Is there such a thing as an uncool Swede? I don't think so. Djokovic strolls on to the Clash's obligatory London Calling. The unwrapping begins of their 43 rackets.

1443: As the mighty Cheese mentioned on her Twitter - Murray v Verdasco clash tomorrow is LIVE on BBC Two from 1415 GMT. Have some of that.

1441: It's an emotional Federer who gets handed a trophy that frankly would not fit on my mantelpiece. It's all about him finishing the season as number one. These are his words: "It's been beautiful. I'm excited by the future. We have wonderful characters in the game. See you for many years to come." Massive applause for the super Swiss. Nice start to the proceedings. Djokovic and Soderling are prowling in the corridor and are close to entering the arena. How do you see this one going?

1437: Sorry about the slight delay to the singles folks. The men's doubles match was a monster. Lukas Kubot and Oliver Marach came through a monumental men's doubles match against Max Mirnyi and Andy Ram. The tie-break in the third set had 30 games. Go have a long bath and a cup of tea. You deserve a break. Hold on ...here's the boy Federer - what's he up to?

BBC Sport's Caroline Cheese Tweeting from the O2 Arena: "Book your duvet days for Thursday: Murray v Verdasco on BBC Two from 1415 GMT"

1432: As well as all the tennis action, it's all about what you guys think as well isn't it? Loads of different ways of getting involved. You know the score - by texting to 81111,606 or Twitter

1430: After Tuesday's Muzza-mania it's all about the second games in the merry group of B. B for bananas or bloomin top tennis action from London's O2. First up is defending champion Novak Djokovic, who squeezed past Nikolay Davydenko on Monday and he's up against Robin Soderling. The mighty Swede will be buzzing after beating world number two Rafael Nadal. You can also follow on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra. What else could you possibly ask for on a Wednesday?





Print Sponsor


see also
In-form Soderling beats Djokovic
25 Nov 09 |  Tennis
Federer prevails against Murray
24 Nov 09 |  Tennis
Djokovic edges past Davydenko
23 Nov 09 |  Tennis
Soderling stuns Nadal in London
23 Nov 09 |  Tennis
ATP Finals photos
27 Nov 09 |  Tennis
Tennis on the BBC
26 Oct 11 |  Tennis


related bbc links:

related internet links:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites