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DUSSELDORF, Germany: Sweden beat Russia 2-1 in the final to win the
World Team Championships on the clay courts here on Saturday for
their fourth title after 1988, 1991 and 1995.
The 44th world-ranked Robin Soderling took part
in both winning rubbers, first beating 16th-ranked Mikhail Youzhny
6-3, 6-1 before teaming up with Robert Lindstedt to beat Mikhail
Youzhny and Dimitry Tursunov 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 11-9 in the deciding
doubles.
They saved a match point in the final set of the
crucial doubles.
In the other singles match, Igor Andreev saw off
Thomas Johansson 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 but it did not stop Russia falling to
their fourth losing final after 2000, 2001 and 2002.
“It was close. We saved a match point. It was
a really big tie-break. I’ve never been this nervous in my whole
life and maybe never been this glad in my whole life either. It’s
a great feeling,” said Soderling.
“It’s a great week to peak. It gives me a
lot of confidence for next week in Paris [the French Open starts on
Sunday]. Hopefully I can continue to play well and hopefully I can
win a couple of matches in Paris.”
Youzhny said: “It was a very close match. We
are upset for having lost in the final once again.
“But I’m sure we will be back maybe next
year to finally win the cup.”
-- AFP
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