As I am currently residing in the South of France as part of the 2009 Strengthening Ties Tour, I thought it pertinent to report on what I’ve been doing for the last couple of hours – which is watching the French Open final, which featured Roger Federer playing the Swedish pretender, Robin Soderling (fresh from dispatching Rafa Nadal from the tournament *cough* in the 4th round).

(CNN) — Roger Federer has finally won the only grand slam tournament to elude him after beating Sweden’s Robin Soderling in straight sets to claim the French Open title at Roland Garros.

The Swiss world number two had 13 grand slam successes to his name prior to the event, but none of them had been on the Parisian red clay.

However, that changed on Sunday as the 27-year-old cruised to a 6-1 7-6 6-4 victory over 23rd seed Soderling, the man who had caused a sensation by dumping four-time winner Rafael Nadal out of the tournament earlier in the week.

The victory moves Federer onto 14 career grand slam titles, level with American Pete Sampras as the most successful grand slam player in men’s tennis history.

[more here]

He’s too smooth.

And he’s also one part South African.

Fact.

Read more about that here.