Events / Ben Caudell / 12 May 2010 /

Nicolas Almagro has put together a strange sequence of results this year but Soderling is simply flying. Ben Caudell doesn't have a happy prediction for Spanish fans

Nicolas Almagro (ESP) v Robin Soderling (SWE)
One of the biggest surprises of the tennis season so far has been the curious form of Nicolas Almagro. The sometimes over-confident Spaniard has always had an annoying arrogance about him, possibly because of his posture, with his chest always protruding outwards. Strangely, he has recorded far better results on the outdoor hard courts than he has on the European clay!
Good showings at the Australian Open (4th rd), Indian Wells (4th rd) and Miami (QF) on the hard courts gave us tennis fans the idea that this was going to be a good year for Almagro. Many marked him down as a player to watch, especially during the European clay court swing.
Unfortunately, tit hasn't worked out that way for the young Spaniard, after performing disappointingly against lesser players on clay including: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (against whom he has lost twice to within the last month); Ivan Ljubicic (in the second round of Rome); and Marin Cilic in Munich. His form at the Madrid Masters also leaves much to be desired, the Spaniard is currently 4-6 there, managing to reach only the second round twice in seven years (the other wins were in the qualifying rounds)
Soderling, on the other hand, has become one of the biggest threats on the slower clay courts. It was only going to be a matter of time before the Swede realised his true potential on the surface and he was rewarded at last year's French Open with the biggest win of his career, when he defeated Rafael Nadal in the fourth round.
Soderling is 16-4 on the dirt and 7-3 in all matches, his record against Almagro reads 3-1 in his favour, and all four matches were played in 2009 with one win and one loss on the clay.
Soderling is successful on the clay due to the time the surface allows for the large take back on his forehand which is his biggest weapon. The height of the bounce of the ball is also ideal, giving the Swede time to unleash his most powerful shots.
The best way to play Soderling on this surface is to use the slice shot as frequently as possible, unfortunately Almagro plays heavy topspin on both sides of the court which will undoubtedly play into the world no.7's hands.
Selection: Back Robin Soderling @ [1.6] to win match

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