Robin Soderling and Fernando Gonzalez both started their semifinal match very focused which showed in their excellent serving and returning too.

Both players had 72% first serves in which is fantastic, considering that Soderling’s average first serve speed was over 200 km/h and Fernando’s was 183 km/h.

Soderling was able to control the points much better and put much more pressure on Gonzalez than vice versa. Soderling was winning 75% or rallies which lasted more than 4 shots and this brought him the first set 6-3.

Robin Soderling wins against Fernando Gonzalez (BERTRAND GUAY/AFP/Getty Images)

The second set was much more equal. Gonzalez started playing more aggressively and used more top spin backhands than slices and that helped him stay with Soderling.

Gonzalez was unlucky at 5:5 when Soderling returned 2 first serves and the ball bounced awkwardly for Gonzales who missed both of them. Gonzales fell 0:40 behind, then saved himself with 3 good points but then committed 2 unforced errors and lost the serve.

This is one side of sport which makes it so unpredictable and sometimes so unfair…

Soderling held his serve despite missing an easy smash and falling 0:30 behind. His mental toughness really helped him stay calm and focused and play positively despite missed chances and he won 7:5.

Gonzales was again outplayed from the baseline in the third set most of the times, but served excellently and was able to win his service games.

He hang in there and Soderling finally fell down from his fantastic level of play. Robin made 2 unforced errors at 5:6, Gonzalez played 2 excellent points forcing with his forehand and finally won the set 7-5.

The fourth set was very interesting; Gonzales anticipated Soderling’s shotsmuch better and was able to stay much longer in rallies. Soderling on the other hand started missing a few more forehands and didn’t serve as well as before.

Gonzales was very calm and composed despite missing some chances although he did explode on a dubious line call and showed some unsportsman like behaviour.

He quickly refocused and kept pressure on Soderling who seemed visibly slower – he also had some blister problems on his foot. Soderling again missed some key forehands at 4:5 and Gonzales managed to break him again for 6:4 and 2 all in sets.

The fifth set continued with high level of tennis from Gonzalez and poor form of Soderling and it was quickly 3:0 for Gonzales. Soderling seemed tired and was losing accuracy with his groundstrokes.

But suddenly at 4:2 for Gonzales, Soderling came back to life. He started playing like in the first set, broke Fernando’s serve and leveled up the match at 4:4.

Soderling strarted to attack very aggressively the second serves of Gonzalez and that’s how he broke Gonzales at 4:2 and also at 4:4.

Perhaps Soderling felt that he wasn’t fit enough to stay in long points and decided to attack the second serves of Gonzalez to shorten the points. He was so focused on this game plan that he had no doubts on what to do with the ball…

Robin Soderling summoned all his mental and physical energy and served out for the match to win his semi-final match against Fernando Gonzalez and enter his first career Grand Slam final.

What makes Soderling so good?

He plays very fast shots from both groundstrokes and this prevents his opponents from getting into a good position and set up for the shot. The opponent therefore cannot hit the ball that fast and accurate and Soderling can attack again.

He creates the first opportunity to attack with his serves at over 200 km/h and aggressive second serves. Robin served a few second serves today at over 180 km/h…

He is also very aggressive on returns and that immediately gives him the advantage in the first ball exchange and he rarely let’s it go.

Hopefully Soderling will recover after this exhausting semi-final match and be ready for who ever is his next opponent; Del Potro or Federer…