PARIS (AP)—Despite his record on the Parisian clay, Robin Soderling is not rated as one of the main contenders at this year’s French Open, and the tall Swede doesn’t care.
“Well, for me it’s fine,” Soderling said after beating Argentine qualifier Leonardo Mayer 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 Saturday to advance to the fourth round. “I’m trying not to focus on what the others think. I always try to focus on myself and my game.”
Soderling was runner-up at the French Open over the past two years. In 2009, he beat Rafael Nadal in the fourth round and defeated top-seeded Roger Federer last year in the quarterfinals to become the first man to beat defending champions at Roland Garros in consecutive years since Mats Wilander.
Soderling next plays Gilles Simon and could face Nadal in the quarterfinals.
“Of course I’m not the favorite,” Soderling said. “Novak (Djokovic) and Rafa, they played really well this year, also Roger. But I think there are a few players, except from the obvious top guys, who can really do well and have a chance to go deep in this tournament. And then of course, if I play well, I see myself as one of them.”
Soderling made only two unforced errors in the first set and broke Mayer twice in the second. The Swede received treatment on his right ring finger at the start of the third set but didn’t seem bothered by the pain as he quickly built a 5-0 lead.
Soderling said afterward he just needed to change the tape on a small blister.
“I figured when he went to the bathroom I had time to put a new one,” Soderling said. “So I will live.”
Soderling, who won three titles this year, has lost just one set this week and is confident he can raise his game to another level during the second week of the tournament.
“I’m working hard,” he said. “Of course I’m happy that I didn’t play too many sets so far. Three matches, 10 sets. I think I’m playing pretty well, I feel good. And then, hopefully, I can start playing even better now when it’s getting tougher and it really matters.”