Novak Djokovic topples Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to enter Roland Garros semis – Tennis Special
Top seed Novak Djokovic got the better of the French number one, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, in a five-set nail-biter at the French Open 2012 on Tuesday. He warded off four match points to formulate a 6-1, 5-7, 5-7, 7-6(6), 6-1 score line against the fifth seed
to power into the semi-finals at this prestigious clay court event taking place in Paris, France.
Djokovic displayed top notch performance to outfox the French in their 12th meeting. After stealing the spotlight in four hours and five-minute marathon, the Serb not only levelled the FedEx ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Head 2 Head
series by 6-6 against Tsonga but also secured a final four spot at this second Grand Slam event of the season.
"As a tennis player, this is what you live for," said the jubilant Serb in a courtside interview. "This is what you practise for all these years, to be part of an incredible performance, incredible match encounter here in Roland Garros with the home players. I'm
really glad that I could win today."
The 25-year-old quickly made on the winning path but lost his concentration after that. He then faced superbly defended all four match points he faced before pulling out the victory.
"It's, I guess, trying to be mentally tough and believing in your shots," reflected Djokovic of saving the match points. "Obviously a little bit of experience that I had playing on this level for last five, six years. I did have some matches similar to this
one..."
Ranked top in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Djokovic made quick in-roads at the Court Philippe Chatrier. After Tsonga held his opening serve in the second game, the Serb unleashed his true colours and went on a five-game tear, eventually
pulling out the opener with a breadstick.
The 27-year-old carried his losing ways in the follow-up set and suffered the first blow in the opening game to fall at 0-2. However, with the support from the home crowd, he was able to fight back in game. Tsonga not only snatched his break back in the
eighth game but cashed in another break chance in the last game to click the set with a 7-5 win.
Tsonga lost his path again towards the third set and gifted away his serve in the third game. However, he quickly recovered in the very next game and then broke the Serb’s serve once again in the last game, subsequently sealing the set by winning seven games
to five.
The fourth set saw both contenders showing their best tennis. Djokovic hammered 15 winners and clobbered a better first serve share. Despite failing to get the breakthrough, the Serb dominated in the tie-breaker and registered a 7-6(6) success.
The match was poised on a knife edge but the Serbian number one was at his peak. He earned the coveted break in the second game to reel off the opening three games in a row before Tsonga could hold in. He swiped the last three games and clinched the set
with an assuring 6-1 score line.
Next in line for Djokovic is the 16-time Grand Slam champion, Roger Federer, who battled past the top Argentine, Juan Martin Del Potro, in a five-set thriller to set up this date.
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