Robin Soderling next to challenge Federer

Associated Press

PARIS

A year after stopping Rafael Nadal’s 31-match winning streak at the French Open, Robin Soderling will try to put an end to Roger Federer’s run.

Which would mean more?

“I don’t know. It depends which tournament, which round, whatever,” Soderling said with a smile and a shrug. “Beating them — it’s a great achievement, I think. You have to play your best tennis.”

Soderling has shown it’s not impossible to beat Nadal, even on clay.

He hasn’t done the same against Federer on any surface, in any tournament, going 0-12 against the man who owns a record 16 Grand Slam titles.

“Obviously, that’s a good record to have,” Federer noted.

Their last three matchups came at major championships, including Federer’s victory over Soderling in the 2009 French Open final.

Their 13th meeting is scheduled for Tuesday’s quarterfinals at Roland Garros, after both men won in straight sets Sunday.

The top-seeded Federer beat his pal, protege and 2008 Olympic gold medalist doubles partner, No. 20 Stanislas Wawrinka, 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-2, while No. 5 Soderling advanced with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 victory over No. 10 Marin Cilic.

There wasn’t a whole lot of intrigue involved in the other two fourth-round men’s matches on Sunday’s schedule, either. In one, No. 11 Mikhail Youzhny moved on when No. 8 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga quit because of a right hip injury after losing the first set 6-2.

In the other, No. 15 Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic defeated No. 4 Andy Murray of Britain 6-2, 7-5, 6-3.