Creature vs. Creature: Robin Soderling's Game This Weekend—A Hit or a Miss?

The final creature vs. creature episode for the weirdly surreal final between Robin Soderling and Roger Federer features one man who the world knows is inching toward tennisdom glory, while the other...did we even have an inkling of what he was up to till now? No, I don't think so.

This side of the net pictures a complete Robin Soderling article portrait, while Long's article gives an inside out Roger Federer analysis; but, in either case, history is ready to be "racqueted" down on Phillipe Chatrier today!

Robin Soderling

I call him "Soldering Iron" not just because his name is an anagram but also because his performance in the past few days, has been nothing short of a soldering blister.

Today whether he wins his first slam or not, Soderling has managed to create a name for himself here, as the man who was responsible for Rafa to lose what he never had, what not even Roger Federer, the three time runner-up had come close to doing.

Soderling represents intensity- cold, shrewd and calculating; his eyes reveal a feral side to this 24 year old's otherwise cool nonchalant mask; he is a new version of the former Swedish champions, though where they maintained it all throughout, he won't hesitate to take jibes if need arises: the world may say anything, but he just doesn't care!

Will Win If

Displays the same mental composure that he displayed against Rafa to best him at his outback- in addition to his shots; plus has to play with his arsenal like he would have, if facing a life and death scenario.

Being tactically aggressive with the usage of his scorching forehand and his so far untested yet sometimes visible swashbuckling backhand, in addition to good first serves will help the Swede to hoist the Cup for the first time to his name.

Capturing Federer's second serve, returning them well, nudging him to stay well behind the baseline could aid Soderling today, though it will be very well like a huge risk-taking owing to Federer's superior clay acumen.

Will Lose If

Movement in and about the court. There is no doubt that his opponent for the day, is perhaps the second best clay courter after Rafael Nadal; and given Soderling's somewhat clumsy movement, it could hamper his chances if he isn't careful about that.

Federer's drop shot will be his first roadblock and if Federer forces Soderling by being as aggressive as he was against Monfils, then Soderling can very well kiss 2009 Roland Garros runner-up tray instead of the Champions trophy.

Pressure and taut anxiety about his maiden slam final venturing can prove to be distracting, forcing him to concede points that he normally wouldn't; as would his physical endurance if the match progresses to a fifth: he won't be able to take the strain, and Federer won't be a Gonzo to allow him any leeway if his semifinal scenario repeats itself.

Intangibles

The respect for Federer factor will not matter much; for whatever respect Soderling has for Federer, there won't be any mention about the same during the actual proceeding.

Strictly cut out for business, Soderling won't be anything short of a jaguar in reply to Federer's usual cheetah act, though it can be safely said that he won't mime Federer in any degrading and insulting way at the risk of losing whatever he has managed to gain so far and it won't matter if he doesn't care, for crowd booing can actually make or break a player in the worst possible way!

In these past few days, Soderling has gained a momentous upswing, something that he hadn't done so far in his career and today, in spite of whether he wins or he loses has become a force to reckon with, a rival who will never be taken as lightly as was the unofficial norm previously; not even by playing pundits of the game, firmly rooted in their success!