Soderling wins Rotterdam for second title of year (Roundup)

Feb 13, 2011, 16:36 GMT

Rotterdam, Netherlands - Robin Soderling continued his red-hot progress this season as the Swedish world number four claimed his second title of 2011 with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 defeat of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to win the ABN-AMRO World Tennis Sunday.

The victory in just under 90 minutes marked the first career title defence for Soderling, who also lifted the indoor title in 2010.

'I'm incredibly happy about my win,' said number four Soderling. 'It's obvious that I like Rotterdam a lot.

'It was a tough match with Jo but I was able to play my best tennis and keep up my momentum.'

The Swede now stands a formidable 13-1 this season, with his only loss coming in the Australian Open fourth round against Alexandr Dolgopolov of the Ukraine.

Soderling began his 2011 campaign with the Brisbane trophy through a defeat of Andy Roddick. But the Frenchman was comprehensively denied his chance for a fifth career title as he played in his first final since Tokyo 16 months ago, which he won.

Soderling improved to a flawless 4-0 over Tsonga but dropped his first set against the 2008 Australian Open finalist along the way at the Ahoy stadium.

Soderling, losing finalist at Roland Garros at the last two editions, won his eighth ATP title from 18 finals. He has also claimed eight consecutive wins over French players.

Soderling won the opening set but was broken in the second as Tsonga made it one set apiece. In the third, the top seed broke in the eighth game for 5-3 and served out victory in the next game on his first match point.

'I played well but Robin was too strong, especially at the end of the match,' said Tsonga.

'I'll take confidence from this match into Marseille next week.

'I played a good match, it was my best of the week even today. I got better with each match this week, I'm pleased with my game.'

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