ATP Tour Finale: The Backhand's Pretty Good, After All

Curtain Call

Player: Robin Soderling

Nation: Sweden

Age: 25

Current Ranking: #9
Notable Conquests: Rafael Nadal (Spain), 2nd seed and Novak Djokovic (Serbia), 3rd seed

Tour Page: http://www.barclaysatpworldtourfinals.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Robin-Soderling.aspx

Today's Match: loss to Juan Martin del Potro (Argentina) in three sets

Any week in which you've beaten both Nadal and Djokovic is a great week, especially considering the fact that Soderling only made it to London courtesy of Roddick's withdrawal. He fought hard today but JMDP was just too good in the end. Soderling will finish in the year-end top 10 for the first time and, as previously discussed, can take credit for the biggest upset of the year in beating Nadal at the French.

Did you hear that? That was a collective "Uh oh!" from the men's tennis world in response to del Potro's play today. He had some absolutely breathtaking shots on the backhand side today. How many players do you try to keep in the middle of the court because his shots from the wings are so devastating?

Hats off to Davydenko for finally beating Federer for the first time in his ATP career. He is now 1-12 lifetime against the mighty Fed.