Soderling boosted by recent record

Robin Soderling will draw strength from last year's final and his recent record against Rafael Nadal when the two square off for the French Open title on Sunday.

Both men won their respective semi-finals to set up a repeat of 2009's historic fourth-round clash, which saw Soderling become the first player ever to beat Nadal at Roland Garros.

Soderling said: "Of course it's always good to have beaten a player before. I know that I can beat him. I showed it. But every match is a new match, and every match is different."

The Swede went on to reach his first grand slam final but proved unable to rise to the occasion as Roger Federer beat him in straight sets. He now faces arguably an even tougher test against Nadal, who is looking unbeatable on clay once more.

The 24-year-old has won his last 21 straight matches on the surface and is an overwhelming favourite to lift his fifth French Open title. But he has lost his last two meetings with Soderling, who also appears to have improved since last year's famous triumph on Philippe Chatrier Court.

Soderling was forced to come from two sets to one down yesterday to beat Tomas Berdych 6-3 3-6 5-7 6-3 6-3 in a match that lasted almost three and a half hours. Nadal, by contrast, maintained his ominous run of not having dropped a set all tournament, dismissing Jurgen Melzer 6-2 6-3 7-6 (8/6).

Yet the second seed - who will dethrone Federer as world number one if he wins tomorrow - admits to fearing Soderling's game.

"He has a very complete game," Nadal said of the man who stunned defending champion Federer this year.

"It's very difficult to get a move, because his serve is very powerful, both on the first and the second ball. He's very aggressive from the baseline.

"Wherever he is, he strikes with a very powerful shot. He won easily against me last year. Obviously, I was not at my top level. I'll be up to 100% on Sunday, and I'll do my job. But if he wins, I'll congratulate him."