Jo-Wilfried Tsonga stuns Rafael Nadal to reach the semis – Barclays ATP World Tour Finals 2011
A stunning performance from the sixth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga drove the world number two, Rafael Nadal, out of the season finale, the Barclays ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour Finals, on Thursday night.
Tsonga laboured hard for two hours and forty two minutes of play to conclude the enthralling three-setter, 7-6(2), 4-6, 6-3, confirming his berth in the semi-final round of the circuit ending mega event in London. He joined the
fourth seed Roger Federer to qualify for the final four from Group B, becoming the first Frenchman in three years to clear the Round Robin stage.
The sixth ranked French finished the initial round with 2-1 record, defeating the eighth seed Mardy Fish and Nadal but losing his opening contest to Federer. Tsonga stepped on court as the underdog on Thursday, but his belligerent
game play proved too good for the second seeded Spaniard to handle. The French was extremely delighted on his victory over the former world number one player and hopes to carry on his momentum in the semi-final round to come.
“Tonight I just played well, amazing tennis,” said Tsonga in his post match reviews. “I don't know if Rafa played really well. But, anyway, he fought to come back. This is what champions do every time. I was really aggressive.
I had a good percentage of winners. I put a lot of pressure on him today.”
Tsonga has been in his prime form throughout the current season, reclaiming his career best ranking of world number six this season. His previous run at the ATP World Tour Finals lasted till the Round Robin stage in the 2008 edition
but the tall Frenchman played some amazing tennis this time round to make it to the final four.
The sixth seed banged in 11 thudding aces, coughing six doubles faults along, and secured 43 out of 51 first serve points en route to victory. He was off to a steady start in the opening set and none of the contestants were able
to register a serve break, dragging the opener into a tie-breaker round. Tsonga got the better of Nadal in the decider to get one up early in the contest but a break point conversion in the 10th game of the following set brought the Spaniard right
back in the game.
The contest had an enthralling finish, with two competitors trading a total of three consecutive serve breaks in the last three games. Tsonga’s break of serve in the ninth game proved decisive in the match, bestowing victory upon
him at 6-3.
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