Is Soderling This Year's "Martin Verkerk"?

[MirkoMecir]

Robin Soderling's run in this year's French Open is reminding me of Martin Verkerk's run back in 2003. They seem like similar players too. Both are at least 6'3" in height, have big serves, and are hard hitters with an atypical game for the clay courts, but took down some clay giants. Granted, Verkerk was a big-time journeyman whereas Soderling has been a perennial top 30 player.

Their runs are also similar - Verkerk took out Carlos Moya and Guillermo Coria on his way to the final. Soderling has taken out Nadal and Davydenko so far.

Soderling has a 3-4 head-to-head record against Gonzalez, including 0-2 on clay so he may not make the final. Then again, this is the new-and-improved Robin Soderling who swallowed a bagel and breadstick to Nadal in Madrid but was still able to prevail in the next meeting.

 

[Z-Man]

Yeah, I thought the same thing. There is more than one way to win on clay. I recall in the 90s there were a few big hitters who were also able to make runs at RG. The court makes the ball sit up, so a tall guy with a long swing can really pound it. It's a risky way to play, so that style seldom wins, but it does create some upsets.

 

[l_gonzalez]

i've been saying this since he beat Ferrer but nobody listened.

 

[Richie Rich]

i said that in another thread