NY Times · May 19, 2015
Soderling Hoping Nadal Will Lose at French Open
LONDON — Robin Soderling is sick of being the answer to a favorite quiz question, the one which asks who is the only player to beat nine-times champion Rafael Nadal at the French Open.
That is why he will be happy if the Spaniard's current vulnerability on his beloved claycourts continues when the tournament begins at Roland Garros this weekend.
Nadal boasts an incredible 66-1 record at the claycourt grand slam, stretching back to 2005 when he won the title on his debut, the only loss coming against Swede Soderling in 2009.
Soderling went on to reach the final, losing to Switzerland's Roger Federer, and he made the final again a year later when Nadal took his revenge.