image: TSN

Federer made the first two sets look easy but then Soderling came roaring back and challenged the Swiss tennis star in the following four sets.  Federer ended up walking away with a 6-0, 6-3, 6-7 (6-8), 7-6 (8-6) victory and now boasts a U.S. Open winning streak of 39 straight matches.  Unbelievable.

“It feels great. It was so close towards the end,” said Federer. “It’s a great relief to come through because Robin played better and better as the match went on.  The beginning was a bit too easy. Then all of a sudden he found his way into the match. He showed what a great player he really is.”

As was the case in 2007 and 2008, Federer will face Novak Djok ovic in the semis.

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Federer in U.S. Open Semifinals

image: Zuma Press

This was the second time in less than a month that Soderling and Almagro have met with Soderling taking both matches (the first was in the third round at Wimbledon).  “I played well today,” Soderling said. “I hit the ball well. Maybe I didn’t move at 100 per cent. Almagro is an excellent clay-court player and I beat him in two straight (sets), so that is very good for my confidence.”

Soderling with face fellow Swede, Andreas Vinciguerra, who advanced after beating fourth-seeded Jurgen Melzer of Austria 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.

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Soderling Moves On at 2009 Swedish Open

image: Zuma Press

Getting a French Open title was not an easy task for Federer who has been the runner-up three times before.  The Swiss tennis star seemed to take his victory in stride (even though he clearly feels he deserves some bragging rights).  After the win, Federer said “now the question is: Am I the greatest of all time?  We don’t know, but I definitely have many things going for me because I’ve finally won all four Grand Slams, and I’m particularly happy reaching Pete’s 14.”

He went on to say: “It’s maybe my greatest victory, or certainly the one that removes the most pressure off my shoulders. I think that now and until the end of my career, I can really play with my mind at peace and no longer hear that I’ve never won Roland Garros.”

The winning moment was awesome (unless, of course, you’re Robin Soderling) as Federer fell to the clay and screamed before burying his hands in his face as the people in the crowd rose to their feet.  He let the tears run free as he stood there listening to the Swiss national anthem.  Tennis great, Andre Agassi, presented him with the trophy!!!  It must have been an incredible feeling.

To Soderling’s credit, he was a true gentleman and a class act.  After being defeated he said: “Roger, really, congrats to you.  You really gave me a lesson in how to play tennis today. And to me you’re the greatest player in history. So you really deserved to win this title.”

Sampras, himself, had to weigh in on the victory.  In a telephone interview he said: “I’m obviously happy for Roger.  Now that he has won in Paris, I think it just more solidifies his place in history as the greatest player that played the game, in my opinion.”

I think I’m going to have to agree.  Federer is carving a name for himself and has definitely solidified his position among the game’s best – if not THE best.

****UPDATE****

There was a scary moment, however, that slightly marred the big day.  Federer was attacked by a weird fan who managed to get onto the court in an attempt to put a red hat on the tennis star’s head.  After Federer pushed the man away from him, the guy danced in front of him waving a Barcelona soccer team flag.  How crazy!  Watch the video:

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Federer (Finally) Wins French Open

image: TSN

While many might have guessed that the Swiss tennis star would advance to the next round (he has been a runner-up at this even three times) his opponent, 23rd-seeded, Robin Soderling (Sweden), was a bit of a surprise.  In what some are calling his “Cinderella run,” he upset 12th-seeded Chilean, Fernando Gonzalez, 6-3, 7-5, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4.  This is Soderling’s first-ever major semi.

I honestly don’t know who I’d like to see win since, in both situations, we’ve got a pretty great story.  Soderling is the ultimate underdog and who doesn’t like to see someone rise up from obscurity and beat all of the big names?  At the same time, if Federer wins, he will “become the sixth man in history to win all four Grand Slam events, tying Pete Sampras for the all-time men’s record in Grand Slam titles” (14).

The finals take place on Sunday.  If history repeats itself, Federer will take the title since he has beat Soderling in all nine of the times they’ve battled but Soderling is having an unusually charmed tournament so it is really anyone’s game.  The winner gets to take home $1.485 million and become a first-time French Open champ.

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Federer Wins Semi, Facing Soderling in Finals

image: Newscom

Like Dinara Safina (who won yesterday), Nadal was the top seed and world No. 1 but Soderling proved to be too much to handle as he won with a 6-2, 6-7 (2-7), 6-4, 7-6 (7-2).  Even more shocking?  Soderling is seeded 23rd and, in 21 attempts, he’s never actually made it past the third round of a Grand Slam.  WOW!  Can you imagine how he feels right now?

Other winners from yesterday’s games included Andy Murray (Scotland), Fernando Gonzalez (Chile) and Nikolay Davydenko (Russia).  They, along with Soderling, will advance to the quarterfinals.

Tomorrow’s match-ups include:

• Andy Roddick (USA) vs. Gael Monfils (France)
• Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France) vs. Juan Martin del Potro (Argentina)
• Tommy Robredo (Spain) vs. Philipp Kohlschreiber (Germany)

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Nadal Eliminated in French Open Shocker