Robin Soderling - Champion: ATP Brisbane International

Robin Soderling looks in good form in the first batch of tournaments in 2011, by winning the Brisbane International, winning over Andy Roddick.  This puts him back to his career-high of #4.  It's also a good boost of confidence for him in the upcoming Australian Open.  Below is his path to the championship -

F - Andy Roddick (USA) (#8) 63 75
SF - Radek Stepanek (CZE) (#65) 63 75
QF - Michael Ebden (AUS) (#185) 63 62
2R - Michael Berrer (GER) (#60) 63 76(7)
1R - Ryan Harrison (USA) (#173) 62 64

Robin played competently throughout the tournament, avoiding any three-setter and seems he's all set for the Aussie Open.

Rankings Watch: ATP Tour - Soderling is Now #4 in the World

Fresh from his Paris triumph last week, Robin Soderling moves up one place to become the #4 player in the world!  Impressive!  With his ascension, it makes men's tennis more interesting since there is now a triumvirate which can cause an upset in next year's Grand Slams just in case Roger or Rafa slip up(which is - rarely!)  Roger and Rafa have always been in a world of their own, especially in the Slams.  It's just that they have the ability to really raise their games on the crucial moments.  In due time, Novak, Robin or Andy may assert their dominance but for the next 2-3 years, Rafa or Roger may still have a lot in them to continue dominating men's tennis.

Elsewhere, Jurgen Melzer is knocking at the door of the Top 10 at #11, along with Gael Monfils, who climbs to #12, after being the beaten finalist in Paris.  Americans Mardy Fish and Sam Querrey also move up two places to #16 and #18 respectively.  Michael Llodra zooms up 11 places to #23, and ensures that he is seeded in the Aussie Open next year.

Robin Soderling is the Paris Masters Champion!

Robin Soderling ends the year with the Paris Masters Cup championship title!  That says a lot about what Robin can actually achieve next yearr, considering the field he was in, it just shows that Robin is definitely a contender for the Slams next year.  He had to defeat Gael Monfils to win the title.  Here is his path to the championship -

Finals - Gael Monfils (FRA) (#14) 6-1, 7-6
SF - Michael Llodra (FRA) (#34) 6-7 7-5 7-6
QF - Andy Roddick (USA) (#8) 7-5, 6-4
3R - Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) (#27) 7-6, 6-3
2R - Gilles Simon (FRA) (#43) 6-4, 6-0
1R - BYE

Because of the luck of the draw, he did not have to meet Federer (who lost to Monfils in the SFs), Murray (who lost to Monfils in the QFs) and Djokovic (who lost to Llodra in the 3rd round) - the top 3 seeded players in this meet.