1824: There we are then. It's a repeat of Nadal-Soderling in Sunday's final and frankly, I can hardly wait. Could all depend on the weather... Before that though, we'll see a new French Open champion crowned tomorrow as Sam Stosur meets Francesca Schiavone in the women's final at 1400 BST. That match is live on BBC Two, which is good news for those of you tired of pressing the Red Button, but bad news if you like an afternoon war film. See you then.
1818: Nadal performs an enormous leap to celebrate that victory as he sets up a rematch against Robin Soderling, the only man ever to have beaten him at Roland Garros. Rafa's turn to face crack on-court interviewer Cedric Pioline now, and just before he speaks on mic, we hear him admit that the conditions were much more to his favour. "Sun much better for me," he says, before looking ahead to Sunday's final. "I will try my best and if he beats me, just congratulate him." Bless.
Nadal 6-2 6-3 7-6 (8-6) MelzerMelzer goes for the big forehand - but it clatters the net and Nadal has an easy forehand to put away.
Match point again and there's no reprieve this time, Melzer finding the net after a tense rally. After two hours and nine minutes, Nadal through to his fifth French Open final.
Nadal 6-2 6-3 6-6 (6-6) MelzerMelzer bouncing around on his toes as he waits to receive - and Nadal double-faults. Incredible. The world number two is properly rattled here. But look at that. Nadal lifts the most glorious lob over the net-rushing Melzer - and even the Austrian is applauding. That makes it 4-4. Terrible drop shot attempt by Melzer and now Nadal has two serves to win the match. Melzer flashes a forehand into the trams and Nadal, at last, has
two match points. Melzer saves the first, forcing the error off a huge forehand, and the second with an OUTSTANDING drop shot. I can hardly believe what I'm seeing. The crowd are loving it. They change over again at 6-6.
Nadal 6-2 6-3 6-6 (3-3) MelzerOh my word. Nadal plonks a smash into the bottom of the net. Completely mis-hit it. Know how you feel, Rafa. That gives Melzer the first mini-break, but Nadal hits back with a sizzling backhand return down the line. Now a brutal forehand winner after a deep return puts Nadal 3-2 ahead with two serves to come - but Melzer fires a double-handed winner past the world number two and they switch over all square.
Nadal 6-2 6-3 6-6 MelzerThe Chatrier crowd celebrate this bonus bit of tennis with a Mexican wave. Nadal isn't in the mood for any fun and games though and after a short delay while the crowd sit down, serves out to love. Into a quite-unexpected-if-we're-being-honest tie-break we go.
Nadal *6-2 6-3 5-6 MelzerHe's not going to do it again, is he? Surely not? Stunning rally by Melzer, finishing with a hooked forehand winner, taking him to 30-0 - but then reality seems to hit home. Nadal reels off three points in a row to get to
break point - but he's saved it! The Austrian plays a perfect approach and puts away an easy volley. He's got a real spring in his step now. Four games in a row...
Nadal 6-2 6-3 5-5* MelzerA change of linespeople as well - but surely they'll only be on duty for one game? Or maybe not... Melzer swings and nails a return winner on the first point, and more heavy hitting draws the error from Nadal. The crowd are loving this. Bit tentative from Rafa, and Melzer's drive volley earns him
three break points. A DOUBLE FAULT! The second serve barely reaching the net. Rafa is actually laughing - but I'm sure he is on the inside.
Nadal *6-2 6-3 5-4 MelzerThe crowd urge Melzer on - they want to see more of this, and so do I. The Austrian battles back from 0-30 to 30-30, Nadal balloons a return out - but then Nadal just manages to pick up a big forehand, Melzer walloping his response out. From deuce though, he fires down two aces and we'll get one more changeover at least.
Nadal 6-2 6-3 5-3* MelzerCheeky. Nadal looks like he's about to crunch a volley, but then just dinks it over the net. Melzer's rather tame return gives him a love service game and that's only two points dropped on serve in this set.
Nadal *6-2 6-3 4-3 MelzerDelicious little drop shot there from Melzer. He's still fighting. A framed forehand - which only just fails to clear the net - holds him up but Nadal nets a return.
Nadal 6-2 6-3 4-2* MelzerHeartbreak. Melzer leaps from well behind the baseline to return a Nadal smash down the line - but the Spaniard is ready for it, placing a drop volley into the open court. The crowd loved that - Melzer did not. Nadal holds to 15.
Nadal *6-2 6-3 3-2 MelzerNadal wins a ding-dong rally at the net, but nets a return to give Melzer a game point. Back to deuce, but then Melzer plants a superb volley onto the baseline. This is a magnificent effort by Melzer, just to dig in. No disrespect to the Melzer man, but I'm already looking forward to Sunday's final. Could potentially be a crackerjack.
Nadal 6-2 6-3 3-1* MelzerMelzer trying to finish the points as quick as possible, but belting a lot of balls out. A love service game for the world number two.
Nadal *6-2 6-3 2-1 MelzerGood stuff. Magnificent drop shot/lob combo helps Melzer on his way. He's probably going to lose in straight sets but he's been very entertaining along the way. The Austrian munches a banana as he sits at the changeover. He's going to need a few of those...
Nadal 6-2 6-3 2-0* MelzerHold to 15 from Nadal. I think we can safely start planning for a Nadal-Soderling final. But then again, Melzer was two sets and a break down against Djokovic...
From dave_the_ninja on Twitter:
"Rafa's got an amazing serve grunt, like a sped-up recording of a rusty door swinging open. He is getting on a bit I guess..."
Nadal *6-2 6-3 1-0 MelzerJohn Lloyd makes a very good point, just before leaving the BBC commentary box. While Rafa is clearly relishing these conditions, the forecast for Sunday is not so good: afternoon storms, reckon the weathermen. And Soderling thrived when it was damp and grey in the Federer match. Anyway, Melzer's goose is almost cooked here as he is broken to love.
Nadal 6-2 6-3 0-0* MelzerMelzer is already looking tired after his five-set epic in the previous round - and a 27-shot rally, such as the one which opens this game, is not going to help. Nadal serves out the set to love, finishing with a magnificent backhand. Hope Robin Soderling's not watching this.
Nadal *6-2 5-3 MelzerMelzer still charging merrily into the net. He's brave, or stupid... one of them anyway. Nadal has a couple of opportunities to pass - but misses them - and Melzer makes Nadal serve it out.
1711: Oh dear, someone in the crowd has succumbed to the heat. Melzer asks Rafa if he wants to carry on while the unfortunate soul is attended to. They decide to stop. Meanwhile, the crowd whistle and boo - as you do.
Nadal 6-2 5-2* MelzerThere is no second aberration from Nadal and he holds to 15 to consolidate the break. A smiling Uncle Toni looks very relaxed, as well he might.
Nadal *6-2 4-2 MelzerMelzer's serve-volley obsession continues... The return is low from Nadal and he's rewarded with a short ball, Melzer unable to control the volley. Nadal doesn't take the first break point but on the second, Melzer goes for too much on a forehand out wide. That's three breaks in a row.
Nadal 6-2 3-2* MelzerBrilliant stuff. Melzer looks to have lost his opportunity when a mistake allows Nadal to get back to 30-30, but the Austrian follows a devilishly low backhand slice with a topspin one down the line -
breaking back when he puts away a short, angled volley. Good match this.
Nadal *6-2 3-1 MelzerEr, Jurgen, you know you don't have to serve-volley every time right? A couple of times it works, but when Nadal latches on to the return, it really doesn't. A whippy forehand pass takes Nadal to
break point and he takes it.
Nadal 6-2 2-1* MelzerA double fault from Nadal - only his fourth of the tournament apparently - and now the Spaniard sneaks into the net. He doesn't get enough on his volley and Melzer zips a pass crosscourt to make it deuce. Twice we go to deuce in fact, but Nadal shuts the door.
Nadal *6-2 1-1 MelzerMelzer hits an approach down the middle, comes to the net, and inevitably watches a forehand come past him. From 40-0, he is pegged back to deuce and he then fires a panicky forehand into the net. It's
break point but that's a brave second serve by the Austrian and he ends the run of games again. Bet Squirmy is squirming after his earlier text though.
Nadal 6-2 1-0* MelzerMelzer will do well to win another game at this rate. Nadal in absolute peak form, clearly loving these hot conditions. A love service game.
Nadal *6-2 0-0 MelzerNadal works his way to a
set point and finishes it off after 29 minutes with a forehand onto the sideline. Just as I'm typing 'that's the best set of tennis I've seen so far from Nadal at the French Open,' John Lloyd says exactly that. Am I channelling John Lloyd? How marvellous. Sam Smith just asked
Lloyd to compare Borg and Nadal. "I can't separate the two," he says. "They're a class above in their eras on clay. Nadal hits the ball way harder - but that's a lot to do with the equipment. Borg was the quickest player I ever saw, the best athlete, and just didn't miss on clay. They are far and away the best two clay-courters that have ever lived."
Nadal 5-2* MelzerMelzer steps up the pace on his return all of a sudden and when Nadal rocks back and floats a forehand long, the Austrian has a
break-back point. Great response though, Nadal walloping down a big serve. Two aces in that game.
Nadal *4-2 MelzerCouple of errors from Melzer and then Nadal fizzes an impossibly good forehand onto the baseline, Melzer almost has to smash it, it bounces up so high.
Three break points and the Austrian double-faults. Oh dear. That's put the brakes on an excellent start to this match. Nadal looking on top form though.
From Squirmy via text: "Does anyone else have a feeling like this could be an unexpectedly close one?"
Nadal 3-2* MelzerBoom. Melzer takes the pace of a Nadal backhand and flicks it down the line for another clean winner. It's the only point he wins in the game though though. Nadal hitting the ball very cleanly so far.
Nadal *2-2 MelzerMelzer tries to serve-volley but finds the ball on his toes. The Austrian digs out a big serve to get to game point but a brutal return by the second seed takes us back to deuce... WHAT A SHOT! Nadal swings a forehand out wide and it looks like he'll be celebrating a break point until Melzer manages to hook the ball down the line for an outrageous winner.
Nadal 2-1* MelzerAnd Nadal hits back with alove game of his own. John Lloyd said he spoke to someone close to Nadal recently, who revealed that Rafa doesn't think he's played his best tennis since Monte Carlo. Since then, he's won Rome, Madrid and got to the French Open semis - which is just a little bit scary for his rivals.
Nadal *1-1 MelzerMmmm... Great start by Melzer. Stunning drop shot to get to 40-0 then a fizzing forehand winner.
From Louisa in Glasgow, via text: "Melzer in four!"
Nadal 1-0* MelzerMelzer has come out swinging, and wins the first point - to a great cheer from a noise Austrian support camp. Huge forehand takes Nadal to game point, though, and he holds. Good stat from Sam Smith on the
BBC Red Button: this is the first all-lefty men's Grand Slam semi-final since 1992.
* denotes next to serve 1605: Away we go. Nadal to serve.
1602: Bit of a queue in the tea bar, hence a slight delay in my return there. The players are out and warming up, and Rafael Nadal has just been introduced to great acclaim from the crowd. Anyone want to put their virtual money on Jurgen Melzer?
1546: Awkward match that between two very similar players, and Soderling admitted as much in that interview. He says he doesn't mind who he faces in the final - although he initially joked "Nadal". The four-times champ is up against Jurgen Melzer in the upcoming semi-final. I'm off for a quick cuppa before that...
Robin Soderling: "When I came here I was only thinking about the first round. Now I'm in the final again. It's better than the best dream ever."
1541: Tomas Berdych gets a sympathetic round of applause as he leaves the court. Robin Soderling to face on-court interviewer Cedric Pioline now...
Soderling 6-3 3-6 5-7 6-3 6-3 BerdychSoderling begins the game with one of his best shots of the day, a running forehand pass down the line. He goes on to earn a
match point with a brutal forehand return - and HE'S DONE IT! Berdych sprays a final backhand into the trams and Soderling moves into the French Open final for a second year running.
Soderling 6-3 3-6 5-7 6-3 5-3* BerdychCrazy. Berdych out into a 0-30 lead but then he slips as he runs for a backhand, and then dumps a forehand into the net. Soderling survives and is one game away from his second French Open final.
Venus and Serena Williams win the French Open doubles title with a 6-2 6-3 win over Kveta Peschke and Katarina Srebotnik. That's their first Roland Garros win since 1999 and their 12th major title in total.
Soderling *6-3 3-6 5-7 6-3 4-3 BerdychBerdych in trouble again as his first serve flounders, trailing 0-30. Soderling chases down a drop shot and just manages to prod a single-handed backhand down the line. It lands on the baseline.
Three break points. Berdych saves one, but not the second, and Soderling is a break up again. Can he hang on this time?
Soderling 6-3 3-6 5-7 6-3 3-3* BerdychBerdych pops a string as he stretches for a forehand out wide. There's a short delay as he gets a new bat but Soderling quickly closes out the game.
Soderling *6-3 3-6 5-7 6-3 2-3 BerdychFizzing backhand down the line from Soderling, which Berdych can't handle, and it's 15-30, but now a forehand flops into the net from the fifth seed and it's 30-30. Berdych comes through - and eventually heads to chair once he's remembered what the score is. We've all done it eh? Meanwhile, the Williams sisters lead the women's final 6-2 4-3.
Soderling 6-3 3-6 5-7 6-3 2-2* BerdychSoderling back on track with exactly the sort of quick and easy hold he would have died for in his last service game.
Soderling *6-3 3-6 5-7 6-3 1-2 BerdychIs this a new thing at Roland Garros? The way a bell chimes every time the clock ticks over an hour? Presumably it's just on the telly, and not actually audible on the court, otherwise it might be a bit off-putting. Anyway, we're up to three hours as Berdych is taken to deuce, but a couple of untimely errors by Soderling allow the Czech to hang on.
Soderling 6-3 3-6 5-7 6-3 1-1* BerdychI say again: huh? Soderling slaps a forehand into the net and Berdych has a
break-back point. How many gifts have there been in this match? A lot... Berdych takes it when Soderling overcooks a forehand.
Soderling *6-3 3-6 5-7 6-3 1-0 BerdychHe's still a set away from his first Grand Slam final, but a slumping Berdych seems to have forgotten that. Two tame errors open the door for Soderling and the Swede barges straight through, two outstanding returns - the second a brilliant off-forehand onto the sideline - giving him the break straight away.
From sssssarah on Twitter:
"I'd like this to go on for a bit longer so I'll be at home by the time Rafa starts. Is 5pm OK for everyone else?"
Soderling 6-3 3-6 5-7 6-3 0-0* BerdychSoderling's sixth double of the day gives Berdych some hope at 15-30. The Swede nails a huge serve out wide to make it 30-30, but a hammer of a forehand doesn't come back and Berdych has a
break-back point. Wow. Another huge serve from Soderling takes us back to deuce, and that's a really wasteful backhand from Berdych, flying well over the baseline. It's
set point and Soderling comes up with one of his best shots of the match - a sweeping forehand which dips on to the back of the baseline. Stunning.
Soderling *6-3 3-6 5-7 5-3 BerdychCouple of loose forehands in the game but Berdych hangs on to his serve. Soderling to serve to take it into a deciding fifth.
Soderling 6-3 3-6 5-7 5-2* BerdychBerdych's level has dropped right off, while Soderling has cut out the errors for now. The fifth seed fires a backhand into the open court and holds to 15. Anyone for a fifth?
Soderling *6-3 3-6 5-7 4-2 BerdychShortly after John Lloyd waxes lyrical about Tomas Berdych's serve, the Czech double-faults to give Soderling a
break point. He can't take that one, but another steady rally gives the Swede a second and this time Berdych sticks a lame backhand into the net. Another shocking game. Soderling thumps his chest in delight - but can he hang on?
From Dominique in London, via text: "Just got my office sweepstake for the World Cup - South Africa and Croatia. Hopefully there'll be as many upsets as there have been in the Roland Garros and I'll walk out the winner..."
Er, it's going to have to be some upset for Croatia to win... Dominique, you've been stitched up big style Soderling 6-3 3-6 5-7 3-2* BerdychAnother comfortable hold for Soderling and he breaks into a jog as goes back to the chair. The Swede is desperately trying to get something going. Hey don't forget to text in your questions for John Lloyd and Mark Petchey. It's
81111, or
tweet me.
Soderling *6-3 3-6 5-7 2-2 BerdychA brief glimpse of the bouncing curls and charming smile of Guga Kuerten just before this game gets under way. It's now 13 years since he won the French Open as the world number 66, which makes me feel a tad old. Agony here for Soderling as at 30-30, he sees a Berdych forehand clatter the top of the net and dribble over. The Czech lifts his arms to celebrate/apologise before closing out.
Soderling 6-3 3-6 5-7 2-1* BerdychMagnus Norman nods and applauds as Soderling lands a serve and puts away the short forehand. The women's doubles final is up and running on Lenglen where Venus and Serena Williams are up against Keveta Peschke and Katarina Srebotnik. The sisters, who will end this tournament ranked in the top two in both singles and doubles, are already 4-1 up.
Soderling *6-3 3-6 5-7 1-1 BerdychI must be honest with you, dear audience: this match is a bit rubbish. Still, I remain optimistic that it may become less rubbish. Think the players are just too similar though. Soderling still muttering and shooting desperate glances at his coach Magnus Norman as Berdych holds to love.
Soderling 6-3 3-6 5-7 1-0* BerdychYet more errors from Soderling and Berdych has a
break point straight away - saved by a big serve. His serve is about all that's good about Soderling's game right now.
Soderling *6-3 3-6 5-7 0-0 BerdychWhat can R-Sod do? Not a lot. Berdych drops the first point but then slams down two aces to go 30-15 up. A hat-trick makes it 40-30 - and there's four! Huge ace down the 'T' and Berdych takes a two sets to one lead.
Soderling 6-3 3-6 5-6* BerdychSoderling in trouble at 0-30, but a baseline attack gets him on the board, despite some manful defending by Tommy B. Now a wonderful return winner off the backhand by Berdych and it's
break point. Soderling crumbles - and then snaps his racquet, cracking the frame in his fury and earning a warning from the ump.
Soderling *6-3 3-6 5-5 BerdychNo sign of a wobble there as Berdych holds to love.
Soderling 6-3 3-6 5-4* BerdychNo bother for R-Sod there, holding to love before heading for the chair. We're heading for crunch time.
Soderling *6-3 3-6 4-4 BerdychR-Sod focuses on keeping the ball in court. Clever. He gets his reward when Berdych's backhand clips the net to give the Swede
two break points. Ace on the first, and some magnificent forehands earn Berdych control of the second, before he finishes it off with a cute drop shot. Nice.
Soderling 6-3 3-6 4-3* BerdychA determined Soderling punches his fist as he hangs on to his serve. Impossible to predict which way this is going to go.
Soderling *6-3 3-6 3-3 BerdychScream of frustration from Soderling as he slaps the net with a return off a second serve. Nothing much clicking for the Swede at the moment - but it might not matter. Berdych chucks in another error-strewn game, giving Soderling a
break point. A big serve comes to his rescue - but now Soderling threads a fabulous backhand up the line. Another
break point and this time Berdych plonks a backhand over the line. Still a very strange match.
Soderling 6-3 3-6 2-3* BerdychBerdych angrily scuffs the clay after framing the ball into the stands. Soderling holds to 30, but it's all still a huge effort for the fifth seed.
Soderling *6-3 3-6 1-3 BerdychEek. Now Berdych has the heebie jeebies, a double-fault leaving him 0-30 down. I think this warm weather is contributing to an error-strewn match. I just don't think they can get used to the ball flying. Berdych gets back to 30-30 but then miscues a mis-hit return from R-Sod. He saves the
break point with a big serve down the middle.
Soderling 6-3 3-6 1-2* BerdychBig bother for Soderling, and the crowd suddenly get involved. The Swede is 0-40 down and facing
three break points. Berdych return into the net, and then a backhand over the baseline. One more chance... And he can't take that one either, leaving his break point conversion rate at one from six. Hang on, here's another one, gifted to him by a double fault. Soderling looking very unhappy with himself, but a couple of beefy forehands do the trick. But Berdych earns himself a fourth opportunity - and Soderling double-faults again! Another shocking game by the Swede.
Soderling *6-3 3-6 1-1 BerdychBerdych comes back from 0-30 down to hold. Could be an important one. Tommy B is wearing a top which reminds me of another one from days of yore... And I've now realised which one: it's a Pete Sampras, Wimbledon 1995 number. Now, if we could just bring back the Stefan Edberg 1988, I think we'd all be happy, yes?
1333: Another question answered on the Red Button.
DiscoStew1 on Twitter
asked: would you rather Murray won Wimbledon or England won the World Cup? A flummoxed John Lloyd replied: "I can't win... Both would be perfect, but it's been longer since we've had a male singles winner at Wimbledon so I'll go with that one."
Soderling 6-3 3-6 1-0* BerdychThat one went by in a flash, Soderling holding to love to get off to a perfect start in the set. If he can cut out the unforced errors, I'd still make him favourite here.
Soderling *6-3 3-6 0-0 BerdychBerdych's nerve holds up pretty well. One massive serve takes him to 40-15, and he has a golden chance to take his first set point, racing up to a poor Soderling drop half-volley but sticking it into the net. No problem on the second though, smashing down an ace out side. Another strange set. All square though, next set crucial.
Soderling 6-3 3-5* BerdychSoderling holds to 15. Let's see how Berdych's nerve holds up now.
From anon via text: "That towel over the head business is usual when Soderling's struggling, I think it's a weird sort of focus ritual he does, so not necessarily to do with the heat - it does look blistering though."
Soderling *6-3 2-5 BerdychSoderling up to 15 unforced errors in the set, Berdych on a stingy four and the Czech is a game away from levelling this up.
Soderling 6-3 2-4* BerdychSoderling's all over the shop. He has to face another
break point and though he saves that with a big serve, he then makes a complete hash of a drive volley to face
another one. An ace, confirmed by the umpire, saves the day.
Soderling *6-3 1-4 BerdychA fourth ace of the day from Berdych and he holds comfortably. John Lloyd is wondering if Soderling is struggling in the heat. The fifth seed has been sitting with a towel over his head at the changeovers - but we're only an hour in.
Soderling 6-3 1-3* BerdychHuh? A double fault from Soderling gives Berdych a surprise
break point and the Swede overcooks a backhand. Soderling returns Berdych's first-set gift. Awfully generous.
Soderling *6-3 1-2 BerdychLots of you outraged by the empty seats on Chatrier. Twas ever thus, I'm afraid. The Roland Garros crowd tend not to turn up until they're good and ready - and that's usually after a long lunch. Soderling mutters to himself as he puts a backhand into the net at 30-30 - but then Berdych nets one himself and we're back to deuce. Solid rally from the baseline now and Soderling blinks first.
Soderling 6-3 1-1* BerdychBerdych works his way to 15-30, in part thanks to a sizzling pass off a Soderling smash. The Swede holds firm though, painting the line with a fizzing backhand to level up.
1257: Tom in Brighton (via text on 81111) asked whether either of these two would have a chance against Nadal on Sunday (if the Spaniard beats Melzer). John Lloyd answered: "Absolutely. I think Soderling has a better chance. He's the one player who can deal with the high ball to his backhand. He would have a great chance against Nadal in the final."
Soderling *6-3 0-1 BerdychWoof. Stunning backhand by Soderling to open the game, and it's so good we're treated to a super slo-mo. Berdych out into a 40-15 lead but then is pegged back to deuce a couple of times. His serve saves the day.
John Lloyd on the BBC Red Button: "Was that nerves? It was strange, you'd have thought if Berdych was going to get nervous, it would have been at the beginning. He certainly can't afford to do that again."
Soderling 6-3 0-0* BerdychWell, that was an odd set. Berdych started brilliantly but one horrible game ruined all his good work. Soderling, an excellent frontrunner, improved from there on. The Swede blasts an unstoppable backhand into the corner to earn
three set points. He takes it on the second after 33 minutes.
Soderling *5-3 BerdychSoderling holds Berdych up with a huge return, but the Czech comes through and makes Rockin Robin serve for it.
Soderling 5-2* BerdychBerdych opts for a change of racquet, and gets to 15-30 but no further, Soderling making it three points in a row with the most delicious angled drop volley. Even Berdych nods his approval at that one. The crowd stir themselves to applaud. Maybe they're doing a sponsored silence...
Soderling *4-2 BerdychWhat's this? Berdych, who was looking so comfortable, makes two awful errors off the backhand to give Soderling a hardly deserved
break point. The forehand comes to Berdych's rescue, an excellent wrong-footer forcing Soderling into an error. But now another loose shot from Berdych and he hits his racquet in frustration. Things go from bad to worse as Berdych double-faults. Shocker for the Czech. By the way, as always, Mark Petchey and John Lloyd are itching to answer your questions in the
BBC Red Button commentary box. Text
81111 or
tweet me.
Soderling 3-2* BerdychBy contrast, Soderling isn't quite at the races yet. Berdych is winning a lot of the rallies, but Soderling's serve is keeping him out of trouble. Bit of a weird atmosphere - well, actually there is no atmosphere. Stadium half-full. Strange.
Soderling *2-2 BerdychIt might be his first Grand Slam semi-final, but Berdych isn't showing much sign of nerves so far. He's moving well, constructing some nice rallies. Impressive. The Czech is yet to drop a point on serve, finishing this game off with his 50th ace of the tournament.
Soderling 2-1* BerdychBerdych finds a large chunk of baseline with a backhand return to win the first point of the day against serve. Soderling comes back with an ace but then Tommy B whips a splendid forehand right into the corner. Ha, another ace from Soderling, and on game point, he strolls up to a short ball and leathers it down the line - but misses it! Shocker. Deuce and a bit of hope for Berdych, but Soderling gets out of trouble.
Soderling *1-1 BerdychSoderling's radar is a bit off as he belts several balls way over the baseline - and Berdych holds to love comfortably. "Not too much percentage tennis there," remarks John Lloyd on the
BBC Red Button. "It's almost like they're getting the artillery ready, loosening up."
Soderling 1-0* BerdychSuper start for Soderling on a hushed Chatrier court. A hold to love.
* denotes next to serve 1213: Off we go. Soderling to serve first.
1209: Well maybe Tomas Berdych and Jurgen Melzer aren't so keen on a Soderling-Nadal final... Anyway, Soderling and Berdych have played eight times before, the Swede leading the head-to-head 5-3. However, Berdych won 6-2 6-2 in Miami earlier this year. It's 28C in Paris. It'll be a shorts day for BBC Sport's Piers Newbery, I reckon.
1200: Strolling out on to a sun-baked Chatrier come Robin Soderling and Tomas Berdych. Berdych, who has a massive forehand, is playing in his first Grand Slam semi-final at the 27th attempt. Soderling, who has a massive forehand, is in his second semi-final in a row at Roland Garros - and let's be honest, we all want to see a Nadal-Soderling repeat on Sunday, right?
1155: Hello there! It's men's semi-finals day at Roland Garros, the weather's cracking, it's Friday... I mean, I
literally don't know how much better things could get.
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~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~15~RS~)
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