Teenager Tomic Knocks Out Soderling, Federer and Djokovic Win

By Richard Lucas
Photo Credit Michael Regan/Getty Images

(June 25, 2011) It was a day of firsts for Australian teenager Bernard Tomic, who earned his first win over a top 10 player and made it to the fourth round of a major for the first time as well. The World No. 5, Robin Soderling was the casualty, as Tomic eliminated the Swede 6-1, 6-4, 7-5. In other action, Novak Djokovic was tested by Marcos Baghdatis before taking the match 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

In terms of notable upsets, you will not find a larger one than the World No. 158 Tomic taking out Soderling with ease, including a 17 minute first set. Soderling called for a trainer early in the match citing stomach illness.

It was clear that Soderling was not at the top of his game, committing 21 errors and hitting an uncharacteristically low 23 winners. During the later stages of the match, he was definitely feeling it physically, routinely needing to catch his breath after each point.

Tomic played a solid match hitting 36 winners while committing only 15 errors in addition to his 13 aces. Despite giving Soderling chances on the return, Tomic saved all five break chances against his serve while converting four of seven against the Swede.

Trying to take the top ranking spot from Rafael Nadal, Djokovic moved one step closer by escaping a tough match with Baghdatis. Despite hitting more winners and fewer errors than Djokovic, Baghdatis was hampered by his first serve, which deserted him in key moments.

The match was decided by only four service breaks, with one coming in each set. Baghdatis was pressured on his serve more often, facing 11 chances and only earning five for himself.

The Serb’s frustration with his own passive play in the second set boiled over resulting in a smashed racquet and warning from the chair umpire. The release appeared to help as Djokovic began playing more freely and the ease in which he held his own serve improved greatly.

Djokovic will next face the 19th seed, Michael Llodra, a 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 winner on Yen-Hsun Lu. Tomic, who is in the same quarter as Djokovic, will play veteran Xavier Malisse, who dismantled 11th-seeded Jurgen Melzer 7-6 (5), 6-3, 6-0.

Another impressive showing today was six-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer winning over former nemesis David Nalbandian 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. He will next play Mikhail Youzhny, a 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (3), 6-3 winner over Nicolas Almagro.

Rounding out the action on a day of warm, sunny weather, both Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and David Ferrer advanced in straight sets.

Keep checking Tennis Now for breaking news, match results and analysis as play continues at Wimbledon.