Tennis Magazine
Soderling Survives Massive Scare in Bastad
Defending Champion Robin Soderling came within two points of defeat against Italian Andreas Seppi in Bastad yesterday, but managed to scrape through to a 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 win in two and a half hours. Seppi served for the match in both the second and third sets, but was unable to close out the contest and let Soderling back in on both occasions. The Swede admitted his lucky escape was due more to Seppi missing than him playing well, but was happy to be through nonetheless. He will now face 2007 winner David Ferrer in the semi-finals after the Spaniard dispatched Pablo Cuevas 6-3, 6-3. The other semi-final will be between Nicolas Almagro and Tommy Robredo, after the latter upset Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 6-3.
Over in Stuttgart Gael Monfils was once again made to work hard for his victory, finally overcoming Florian Mayer 5-7, 6-3, 6-4. Juan Carlos Ferrero beat Simon Greul 6-3, 7-5 and Albert Montanes upset Jurgen Melzer 6-4, 6-1. Daniel Gimeno-Traver, who beat Nikolay Davydenko earlier in the week, continued his good run by defeating Marco Chiudinelli in straight sets.
