Had to play my best tennis, says Soderling

Swede Robin Soderling proved a popular winner when he beat Argentine Juan Monaco 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) to claim his home tournament yesterday.

Swede Robin Soderling proved a popular winner when he beat Argentine Juan Monaco 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) to claim his home tournament yesterday.

The 24-year-old Roland Garros finalist achieved his first clay court title and the fourth of his career.

"I wouldn't swap this victory for a Grand Slam win," said the No 2 seed. "It's been my dream to play well at Bastad and it's fantastic as the support of the crowd has been," added Soderling, who becomes the first Swede to win the title since his coach Magnus Norman in 2000.

"I had to play my best tennis because Monaco wasn't easy. It started well but it became really difficult, in the second set he played better than me."

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