Sweden's Soderling rebounded from a rocky first set to defeat third-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 on the red clay at Bastad Tennis Stadium. It was the second straight day in which Soderling dropped his first set only to bounce back for a win.
Fifth-seeded Almagro, meanwhile, had considerably less trouble with his opponent, Spanish countryman Tommy Robredo, whom he dispatched 6-1, 6-3.
Almagro, who has five career ATP tour championships, is 2-3 all-time against Soderling. However, he beat the Swedish favorite in straight sets at Madrid this year.
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