Le Monde | • Updated | By
Whether on the tennis courts of the US Open or conference press, surrounded by journalists, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga displayed a disconcerting serenity. “ I learned a lot during all these years. Today I am a better player in those moments before. I hope that after the knockout, it will be the quarters, then the semis and the finals, “, explained the French, after his victory over Benoit Paire in the fourth round, Sunday, September 6 .
Since the beginning of the tournament, “Joe” conceded any of his service games to his opponents – in four games. The last time he looked so confident, it was June, at Roland Garros, where he was raised in the semifinals. His mindset and intensity they will allow it to successfully qualify for his second semifinal of Grand Slam in the same season after Roland Garros? A performance that no French has performed since Sebastien Grosjean in 2001 (semifinalist at the Australian Open and Roland Garros).
The challenge is Tuesday, facing the defending champion, Croatian Marin Cilic, who seems to gain momentum since the beginning of the tournament. And the game seems wrong board for Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The French conceded the first leg, bowing 6-4 after having wasted two break points while leading three games to two. Stronger during long exchanges, the Croatian Tsonga did bend at the end of set, while they were tied four games all.
During their career, Tsonga and Cilic met five times with only a victory for the French. Their last game dates back to the Monte Carlo tournament, in April 2015 the Croatian had – again – dominated Tsonga in straight sets in the fourth round: 6-3, 7-6 (5). “ This is a great opportunity. It’s great to play this kind of game. This is a very good player who often beat me. For me, it’s great to find a solution “ says Tsonga.
A strong service and mounted conclusive net
“All the lights are green for Jo , launches Thierry Tulasne, French number 2 in 1983 and 1984. Since the beginning of the tournament, it is not done breaker once. It is well leg, very fast and lively. “ now far from his early defeat in 1000 Cincinnati Masters in August (where he was eliminated in the first round by Fernando Verdasco), another Tsonga seems to have woken up at Flushing Meadows.
“ Tournaments Grand Slam suit him well because the first laps allow it to set off , adds Thierry Tulasne. And it must be said: he received early enough table cleared. “ the first round, the Manceau made short work of the 77 th World, Marcel Granollers (6-3, 6-4, 6-3), which the had eliminated the Barcelona tournament last spring. And was easily defeated his compatriot Benoit Paire (41 th in the ATP rankings) on Sunday in the second round (6-4, 6-3, 6-4). Success he owes to a strong service and climbs to conclusive net.
To create the exploit, the French will have to redouble their efforts and work on his backhand return. But a semi-final qualification could not surprising. The French number 4 has already done in June at Roland Garros. Like his compatriot Richard Gasquet elsewhere. Semifinalist at Wimbledon in July, the Biterrois will face Roger Federer. Another big piece.
No comments:
Post a Comment