Soderling shows guile to set up an impressive win

By Les Roopanarine

Robin Soderling, the sixth seed, staged a masterclass in tennis brutality to overwhelm Thomaz Bellucci, the talented young Brazilian, in straight sets.

Soderling, who earlier this month reached the French Open final for the second successive year, swept aside the 24th-ranked Bellucci 6-4 6-2 7-5.

The Swede has never before made it beyond the fourth round in SW19, but has yet to drop a set this time round.

He will now face David Ferrer, the ninth seed, in the last 16.

"It was a tough match because Thomaz was serving well," said Soderling. "I was a little bit lucky to get away with a straight-sets win.

"I've played well over the last year and a half, beating many top players, so my confidence is very good.

"I hope my opponents can feel that confidence because that's such a big thing in the close points."

606: DEBATE I have to say I've been impressed with the improvement Soderling has made in recent years District Line

For all Soderling's magnanimity, his tactical shrewdness was such that close points were at a premium.

The Bellucci forehand, which is struck with a full western grip, makes it difficult to deal with the kind of flat, low ground strokes in which Soderling specialises, and the Swede reaped maximum advantage.

No less destructive was Soderling's serve. The first delivery, which averaged around 130mph, was headache enough for Bellucci, but Soderling was equally clinical on the second, on which he did not drop a single point in the second set.

There was finesse amid the ferocity, too. One dinked backhand pass, hit at full pelt as the Swede ran down a Bellucci drop shot, was exquisite.

Soderling faltered just once. At 5-5, having failed to break in the preceding game despite conjuring a wonderful backhand pass, he suddenly found himself bereft of rhythm and confidence.

A series of unforced errors from Soderling handed Bellucci his first chances to make an impression against the serve but, sadly for the man from Sao Paulo, who wasted three break points, it was not to be.

It will be a very difficult match against Soderling. David Ferrer on his fourth-round match

Soderling's next opponent, Ferrer, should pose a sterner challenge ahead of a possible quarter-final meeting with Rafael Nadal, the world number one.

Few players on the ATP Tour have won more matches than Ferrer this year, but he was pushed all the way by Chardy, the world number 55.

The Frenchman clawed back a two-set deficit before establishing a 5-3 lead in the fifth.

Ferrer, however, is nothing if not tenacious, and the world number 11 came through a tense finish to win 7-5 6-3 4-6 3-6 7-5.

"It will be a very difficult match against Soderling," said Ferrer. "He serves really well and plays very fast".

Chardy's compatriots enjoyed a better afternoon.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the 10th seed and former Australian Open finalist, saw off Tobias Kamke of Germany 6-1 6-4 7-6 to book a place in the fourth round.

Tsonga will face fellow Frenchman Julien Benneteau, the 32nd seed, who let out an almighty roar of triumph after beating Fabio Fognini 6-4 6-1 4-6 6-3 on Court 18.

Completing a French treble was Paul-Henri Mathieu, who battled his way past Thiemo De Bakker of Holland. Mathieu won 7-6 7-6 6-7 6-4, and will play Nadal in the fourth round.

Sam Querrey came through a monumental battle with Xavier Malisse

Sam Querrey, the 18th seed, ensured that Andy Roddick would not be the sole American representative in the last 16 by battling his way to a five-set victory over Xavier Malisse, a former semi-finalist at the All England Club.

Querrey was broken when serving for the match at 5-4 in the final set, but fashioned a break of his own at 7-7 when Malisse nudged a half-volley wide.

This time Querrey made the advantage count, retrieving a 0-30 deficit in the final game to serve out a 6-7 6-4 6-2 5-7 9-7 victory.

The 6ft 6in American, who won the title at Queen's a fortnight ago, will now play Andy Murray for a place in the last eight.

"It'll be a tough one," said Querrey. "Andy's playing great and he's one of the favourites here. I'm just going to go out there and give it all I have.

"I want to play well, and hopefully I can challenge him. I've won eight matches now on grass, so I'm feeling good out there."

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