Lucky 13 as Robin Soderling defeats Roger Federer

ROBIN Soderling claimed his first victory over world No 1 Roger Federer at the 13th time of asking in Abu Dhabi yesterday to reach the final of the Capitala World Tennis Championship.

The Swede perhaps had the advantage, having begun his season on Thursday with victory over Federer's Swiss compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka at the grandly-named exhibition tournament.

But the 15-time grand slam champion began well in his first match of the campaign, taking the opening set on a tie-break and then breaking in the opening game of the second. Soderling is a different prospect since reaching his first grand slam final in France last year, though, and he broke back in game six before levelling in a one-sided second tie-break.

Although the Swede lost to Federer in Paris, he built on that breakthrough and impressed in November's ATP World Tour Finals at the 02 Arena in London, reaching the semi-finals.

Soderling gained the crucial break in the third game of the decider and then saved four break points in the next game before breaking again to seal a 6-7 (6/8) 7-6 (7/1) 6-2 victory.

The 25-year-old said: "I always said the more times I play him, the closer I'll get, and here I am today. So far so good, but it's going to be a long season for sure, hopefully I'll get to play against Roger a few more times."

Federer reflected on a tough opening to his 2010 season, saying: "Obviously it's hard to start playing against him but I had fun."

Soderling will face Rafael Nadal in the final after the world No 2 defeated fellow Spaniard David Ferrer 7-6 (7/3) 6-3.

Nadal had cut a frustrated figure at the O2 Arena as he failed to win a match and he had warned not to expect too much at the start of 2010.

But he looked in pretty good form as he ground out a straight-sets triumph over his Davis Cup team-mate.

Ferrer had his chances in the opening set, Nadal saving two break points in the fourth game and then a couple of set points at 4-5.

The underdog, who beat World Tour Finals champion Nikolay Davydenko on New Year's Eve, could not keep his momentum going in the tie-break, though, and an early break in the second set put Nadal on his way to victory.

Ferrer said: "I had my chances in the first set but Rafa served very well on important points. But I'm happy with my tennis."

Nadal, who lost to world No 4 Andy Murray in last year's final, added: "This is the perfect preparation for Doha and then the Australian Open."