Soderling labours past Jeremy Hardy in Estoril

Robin Soderling coasted in the first and last sets but had to fight for his life in the second to emerge a 6-1, 6-7 (4/7), 6-1 victor against Jeremy Chardy in his opening battle at the Estoril Open yesterday.


Swede top seed Robin Soderling

The Swedish top seed needed almost two hours to go past his French opponent, who put up a huge struggle at the midway point of the second-round contest.

World No 5, who begins his clay run ahead of Roland Garros, lost in an opening match a week ago in Barcelona.