Soderling can beat anyone: Borg

STOCKHOLM - Former Swedish tennis great Bjorn Borg Monday hailed compatriot Robin Soderling’s upset against defending French Open champion Rafael Nadal.

“If you can defeat Nadal on clay in Paris, you can beat anyone,” Borg was quoted as telling the Expressen daily.

Borg, a six-time winner at Roland Garros, said he hoped “the Swedish people really comprehend what an achievement it was.”

“It is really a feat,” Borg added.

Borg said he believed Soderling could become a top-10 player and the win against the world Number 1 had given him the necessary edge.

The former champion Borg said he was due to visit Paris with his wife Patricia and hoped to boost Soderling.

And as Swedish tennis has slumped in recent years, Soderling’s win might contribute to reviving interest in the sport.

“This is what Swedish tennis needs. There has rightly been a lot of complaints and moaning, but this is just what was needed, Borg said, adding he didn’t rule out Soderling as winning the classic Grand Slam event.