Is there anything stopping Nadal

[VillaJ100]

That would be great. Unfortunately i dont think he can beat federer, just through mental block as much as anything. It funny how all these "once in a career" performances like tsonga-nadal, never seem to happen to federer in a slam hehe.

[Moralspain]

Moralspain is still in shock over last year

hahahha yes i am, actually i´m frightened

[Cro Morgan]

@ Cro,

if were comparing the different match-ups versus Nadal, there's a big difference between the performances of Tsonga and Soderling.

You're 100% correct that Tsonga has not really followed up that win in the Aussie Open against Rafa, but as with regard to Soderling, he is a much improved player and has generally given Rafa tough matches, with the head to head being slightly in Rafa's favour at 3-2. So it's pretty close between them.

Even that one result of 6-1 6-0 in Rome last year, doesn't really tell the whole story. Sure it sounds like a complete domination by Nadal, but when was the last time you've heard of such a comprehensive looking win taking as long as 1h30 to complete?
I can't exactly recall now, but Soderling must have had about 10 break point chances in that match which he didn't convert. Many of the games went to deuce.

There's no doubt that Soderling's big hitting brand of tennis gives Nadal problems. Their H2H on grass, hard and clay, is indicative of that.
That's why I stated previously that I would have liked to have seen the Swede in Rafa's side of the draw, because I don't believe he can beat Federer but I do think he has a much greater chance against Nadal.

I'm not at all convinced like some others are that Soderling hit lightning in a bottle last year. His win was full of merit, and if he was given the oppurtunity to play Nadal, he might have been able to deliver again this year.

In a nutshell: Soderling is a very good player, and his style of play may give Nadal more trouble, than say, Federer. That said, on clay, Soderling is not nearly as good as Nadal. So, for Soderling to defeat Nadal on clay, he would have to play out of his head - as he did in last year's RG match. If he doesn't play out of his head, Nadal will win.

Of course if Nadal plays out of his head, doesn't matter what Soderling brings to the match.

[KluddKalle]

I only read "Soderling is a very good player". Everything else got blurred...

But I get what you're saying. I would say that Söderlings style of play gives Nadal trouble on any surface including clay. Sure, Nadal is a better clay player in every single way, and a better tennis player in many ways. But that doesn't matter when he faces someone that has a style that doesn't suit him very well...

[Otlichno]

Roger Federer.

[patko7]

Soderling is a one Slam (final) wonder. He's not that good.

Well now he beat Roger Federer, and Berdych will be a piece of cake. That means he will reaching the finals again . I think Soderling is very good and he will be a good underdog against Nadal in the final

[fedfan]

I can see it now Nadal saying he isn't the favourite because Soderling won last yeah yadda yadda yadda. Rafa must be the only person who thinks he isn't a favourite.

[Otlichno]

Berdych a piece of cake? It seems you haven't been watching him lately.

[jwestbury661]

federer out soderling deserves it

[SoundfSilence]

Berdych a piece of cake? It seems you haven't been watching him lately.

Well, Berdych had to overcome an out of form Murray (didn't look that hard)... and lets be honest, Youzny got there as Tsonga retired.

[fedfan]

Berdych will cave if he gets anywhere near the final imo.

[patko7]

Berdych a piece of cake? It seems you haven't been watching him lately.

I think Soderling will win in 3 sets no doubt about that .
And yes I have seen the matches of Berdych, but Soderling played better tennis against better opponents, yeah maybe Murray bu ist is not his favorit surface.