Jo-Wilfried Tsonga outlasts John Isner to move into title match – BNP Paribas Masters 2011
Home favourite and the French number one, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga faced three match points before overwhelming resilience by the American John Isner on Saturday. He earned a 3-6, 7-6(1), 7-6(3) victory over the 26-year-old American
to face a former world number one Roger Federer in the title round at the BNP Paribas Masters 1000 event held in Paris, France.
Tournament’s sixth seed Tsonga edged over the American, ranked 25th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour rankings, in almost three hours long marathon. He not only took revenge for his loss at Washington in 2009
but also levelled the head-to-head series by 1-1 against Isner.
The Greensboro native Isner made quickly on the €2.227.500 track after bagging entire serves without facing any breakpoint. He converted one out of four breakpoint opportunities to his advantage in the sixth game to pocket the
opening set with a 6-3 score line in thirty-nine minutes.
World number eight Tsonga re-focused his strategy in the second set and warded off both breakpoints came across to keep entire serves. In addition to this, he sought three breakpoint opportunities but failed to convert any to his
advantage. As a result, the set went to the tie-breaker where Tsonga dominated and sealed the equaliser with a 7-6(1) win.
The Frenchman carried his winning ways in the final set and after defending all three breakpoints faced, he kept entire serves. Tsonga formulated four breakpoint opportunities but again failed to capitalise on any of them. However,
he re-ignited his spark in the tie-breaker again and clinched the set with a 7-6(3) victory.
Overall, the top Frenchman smacked twelve aces and earned a superb 84 percent win on his slightly lower first serve share. With his tremendous defending skills, he saved eight out of nine breakpoints came across and despite squandering
seven breakpoint opportunities, Tsonga edged over the American convincingly.
"I think I went beyond frustration," said the thrilling Frenchman. "The first set was really tough. Little by little I said, 'Listen, Jo, you have to enjoy this moment. Whatever happens, it's a great moment. Everybody's behind
you. People are supporting you.' What I had in mind was, 'You don't have to win, but at least enjoy yourself and love it… I started feeling better and enjoying it, and especially trying to go forward with my returns, hit early."
Next challenge for the Tsonga is the third seeded Swiss Maestro, Federer who blasted past fifth seeded Czech Tomas Berdych in straight sets to reach this spot.
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