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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 5:46 a.m., Saturday, October 11, 2008

Tennis: Nalbandian, Soderling advance to Stockholm final

By STEPHAN NASSTROM
AP Sports Writer

STOCKHOLM, Sweden — Top-seeded David Nalbandian and Robin Soderling routed their opponents today to reach the Stockholm Open final.

Nalbandian cruised past Jarkko Nieminen 6-2, 6-1, and Soderling outplayed Japanese teenager Kei Nishikori 6-1, 6-0.

Soderling, who has one of the biggest serves in the game, ended the match with his 13th ace. He has 532 this year for fourth place on the ATP Tour.

Nalbandian, who has reached two other finals this year, dominated the third-seeded Finn from the start.

"I've played well all week," Nalbandian said. "I served very well. I played the big points well, break points and deuces."

Nieminen, a two-time finalist at the Stockholm Open, broke back after losing the opening game but Nalbandian broke twice to take command. Serving for the set, Nalbandian fell behind 15-40, then scored four straight points.

Despite leading 40-15, Nieminen dropped his serve again in the third game of the second set.

Nalbandian broke for a 4-1 lead, Nieminen double-faulted on match point.

Nalbandian is 1-1 in finals this year, winning in Buenos Aires in February and losing in Acapulco the next week.