London, November 23, 2009

Robin Soderling has worked his way past Rafa Nadal this afternoon with a straight-set victory (6-4, 6-4) in his first round-robin match of the ATP World Tour Finals in London.

The Swede broke Rafa in his first service game and, after the world No.2 had powered his way back to 4-4, Soderling struck again in the tenth game to secure the first set.

Rafa started off great by breaking first in the second set but Soderling had more luck on his side and took the match when Rafa fired a backhand long.

With this loss, things have turned a bit more difficult for Rafa. The Spanish champ now needs to beat both Novak Djokovic and Nikolay Davydenko to keep his qualification hopes alive. 

A frankly honest Rafa said afterwards that he thinks the contest is virtually over. “I think the chances I have are not to be No. 1. My level right now I think is not to be No. 1.”

“I think I didn't play really bad. I played okay,” assessed the world No.2. “But in the important moments, I didn't have the necessary calm, so I had few mistakes. He is a big player on this surface, so [it] is difficult. If you are not completely calm and playing very well in that moment, it's really difficult to win, and today I didn't play in this way in those moments".

“I am working really hard to come back at my best level,” said the left-hander.” I think I'm not far away from my best level. But I need little bit more confidence and more calm in those moments. This year is going to be extremely hard to finish really well. But I’m going to work very hard to start next year very good. I believe in myself, that I can come back playing really well next year.”

Vamos Rafa!