Ranking-wise, there has never been a better final in Bastad in modern times than we will see in Sunday's final between Robin Soderling and David Ferrer at the SkiStar Swedish Open.
Home favorite and World No. 5 Soderling is appearing in his third straight Bastad final. He won the title in 2009 over Juan Monaco, but lost in last year's final against Nicolas Almagro. Now he wants to win his fourth tournament victory of the season after wins in Brisbane, Rotterdam and Marseilles.
Robin is playing great tennis and has only lost nine games on his way to the final.
- I don’t want to change too much in my game before the final. I will continue to play relaxed. I have felt fresh and have played well this week. It has proceeded well, says Robin.
- I know what to expect from Ferrer. Everything comes back and he doesn’t miss many shots. It will be a tough match. I have to play well to beat him. He has improved his offensive game lately, he reasons further.
World No. 6 David Ferrer has also won the title in Bastad once before, in 2007 when he beat Nicolas Almagro. 29-year-old Ferrer is chasing his third title of the year, he has previously been victorious in Auckland and Acapulco.
The Spaniard has also impressed on his way to the final and hasn’t lost a set.
- It will be a very difficult match tomorrow. Robin has been playing unbelievably this week. I will need to play my best tennis to beat him and return very well as he has a great serve, says Ferrer, before the final.
- Every final is special to me. But for him it might be extra special because it is in his country, says the Spaniard.
Soderling takes in a 9-4 record against Ferrer as they prepare to face-off in Bastad for the fourth time. Robin won their last meeting in the 2010 semi-finals.