Baghdatis through in Stockholm after Soderling retires

Stockholm: Home favourite Robin Soderling was forced to withdraw from his Stockholm Open semi-final on Saturday, sending Marcos Baghdatis through to the final without the Cypriot having to strike a ball.

Baghdatis will face Olivier Rochus in the final after the Belgian outlasted rising Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci 7-6, 4-6, 6-3. Soderling, the top seed, was unable to play because of an elbow injury. The world number 10, who is chasing a spot in the season-ending Masters Cup in London, received treatment for the injury during his quarter-final win over Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez on Thursday. Soderling lost in the Stockholm final last year to Argentine David Nalbandian.Bureau Report