• Chris Wilkinson

Watch out for Murray and Soderling in London

The atmosphere on Court Central was electric © Getty Images

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I've just got back from Paris, and it's a good job it was an indoor tournament because it rained all week! But despite the weather, it was a fantastic tournament. The courts were much quicker this year and it made a real difference. It made the play much more exciting and players were coming into the net a lot more which makes for much more entertaining tennis.

Tennis has been slowed down over the years which benefits the baseliners, but I really think the success of Paris will lead other tournaments to consider making the change. It obviously won't be to the liking of everybody, but the crowds love it and it would certainly be for the benefit of tennis.

The spectators in Paris were fantastic, and it certainly helped that they had two Frenchmen in the semi-finals - both Michael Llodra and Gael Monfils played out of their skins. Monfils saved five match points to beat Roger Federer in the semi-finals but had to settle for runner-up for a second straight year. Llodra played well beyond his ranking - no doubt spurred on by the electric atmosphere and both Frenchmen played some of their best tennis, and it comes at the right time with the Davis Cup final against Serbia coming up.

I think Llodra has just guaranteed his place in the team. With Jo-Wilfried Tsonga out, Monfils was always likely to play, but the No. 2 singles player was up for grabs. Gilles Simon and Richard Gasquet have both been playing well in recent weeks but Llodra certainly staked his claim. All the talk in Paris last week was who was going to play No. 2, but I think Llodra has done enough to seal his place - and deservedly so - he played some fantastic, entertaining tennis and beat Nikolay Davydenko and Novak Djokovic on his way to the semi-finals.

Soderling was very impressive - he was really focused all week and played solidly. He looked really hungry and his victory takes him above Andy Murray to fourth in the world rankings. Murray, by contrast, looked a little laboured all week. He had a good win against David Nalbandian in his opening match - Nalbandian is a tough opponent, but he came up against an inspired player in Monfils.

With the faster courts it comes down to the odd points here and there, and that was no more obvious than in Federer's semi-final defeat to Monfils. Federer had five match points - how often does he throw away that kind of opportunity?

We now know the identity of the eight players who will line up in London next week - and Fernando Verdasco missed out at the expense of David Ferrer and Andy Roddick. The Spaniard had match point against Monfils and must be wondering what might have been. I think the right men are in the line-up - although Verdasco must be disappointed to miss out.

So the top five - Nadal, Federer, Djokovic, Soderling and Murray will be there, as well as Tomas Berdych, Ferrer and Roddick. Monfils really should be knocking on the door every year - he has got the game to beat the top players but has been erratic.

Roddick is very popular with the British public and is good for the tournament as he has a great personality. He missed it last year because of a knee injury but has now qualified for the year-end finals eight years running which is no mean feat.

Robin Soderling will be the player to beat in London © PA Photos

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Soderling will be the player to beat next week - he will obviously be flying high after his victory in Paris and will have a week off to recover. He will be full of confidence and is a good indoor player - five of his six career titles have come indoors - so he will be the one to watch.

To be honest I think Berdych and Ferrer will be there to make up the numbers - I can't see them making much progress, and I don't expect Nadal to set London alight either. He has had a phenomenal season and has already tied up the No. 1 ranking - he pulled out of Paris with a should injury and even if he is at full fitness he won't want to risk any injuries.

I have a feeling Murray could do well - as with Llodra and Monfils in Paris last week, Murray will have home advantage and that could really help him. Roddick is always a danger, and we have learnt never to write Federer off - but watch out for Murray and Soderling in London.

Chris Wilkinson is a former British No. 1

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