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Dogged Soderling beats Cilic in Marseille final

MARSEILLE, France - Top seed Robin Soderling continued his stunning start to the year by clinching the Marseille Open title on Sunday after battling back to beat Marin Cilic 6-7 6-3 6-3.

The Swedish world number four, who won in Rotterdam last week and also took the Brisbane crown last month, was furious with himself for much of the first set as unseeded Cilic won a topsy-turvy tiebreak 10-8.

Having thrown around a few balls in disgust, Soderling settled into his rhythm and broke the giant Croatian twice to seal the second set.

A superb backhand down the line followed by Cilic netting an easy shot gifted Soderling the break in the third set and he easily closed out victory.

“I have always appreciated playing in France where the crowd are really connoisseurs,” Soderling, who lost the 2004 final in Marseille, told reporters.

Soderling, French Open runner-up the past two years, would have had an even more startling opening to 2011 had he not lost in the Australian Open fourth round to Alexandr Dolgopolov.

“I would have loved to have stayed unbeaten but that match in Melbourne wasn’t very good unfortunately. Traditionally I always have problems in Australia,” he said.

“My aim is to climb up the levels...but next week, I am resting.”

Cilic was happy with his week’s work.

“I’m relieved to have reached another final. It’s a super feeling being able to play well again,” he said. “My two previous matches definitely affected me physically.”