Jo-Wilfried Tsonga labours past Radek Stepanek into the fourth round – BNP Paribas Open 2012
Sixth seed, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, came back after dropping the opener to overcome former world number eight, Radek Stepanek, 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-2, in the third round at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, USA on Tuesday. The Frenchman
required two hours and 17 minutes to beat his more experienced opponent in a tough contest.
Tsonga and Stepanek did not lose their serve throughout the first set, squaring off the score at 6-6 and forcing a tie-breaker. The Czech, Stepanek, allowed Tsonga to grab just two points and sealed it 7-6(2).
Stepanek pounded two aces and 59 percent of the first serves. The 33-year-old pocketed 18 of the 23 first and 11 of the 16 second serves into points. On the other hand, Tsonga hit four aces but he also committed a couple of double
faults. Neither of the two players provided his opponent any break opportunity in the opener.
Tsonga and Stepanek went neck to neck in the first six games of the second set to level the score at 3-3. It was all Tsonga show after that, as the French captured three consecutive games, breaking Stepanek in the eighth game and
consolidating on it to win 6-3.
The Frenchman made a number of errors on his second serve, committing four double faults and winning just six of the 12 points on them. Though, the right-hander compensated with his first deliveries, as he fired three aces and
grabbed an incredible 15 of the 18 points on them.
The decider went on a similar pattern to the second set. Both players held their serve in the first four games, equalising the score at 2-2. After that, Tsonga struck twice, securing a break in the fifth and seventh game to close
the set 6-2.
The Frenchman improved his serve even more in the third set. He smashed four aces and clinched 11 of the 14 first delivery points. In comparison, Stepanek ran out of stamina, as he was unable to deliver any ace and committed a
couple of double faults. The Czech failed to save two of the five break threats he faced and could not avail the only chance he got in the final set.
Tsonga is drawn to face world number 74, David Nalbandian of Argentina, in the last 16. The former top three player dumped 10th seed, Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia, in three sets 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in the third round.
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