Roger Federer survives in five against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Wednesday in Melbourne. Federer is through to another matchup against Andy Murray, this time with a spot in the final at stake.
Roger Federer passed his first serious test of this Australian Open when he outlasted Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-3 in a quarterfinal thriller on Wednesday night. Federer needed three hours and 35 minutes to book a blockbuster semifinal showdown with Andy Murray.
The Swiss had a surprisingly tough time holding onto breaks at the beginning of this one and a donation at love in the sixth game eventually led to a tiebreaker–which all boiled down to a single mini-break. It came at the very start when Tsonga netted a backhand. Both players took care of their serves from there, with Federer sealing the deal with service points at 5-4 and 6-4.
Tsonga sprayed 20 unforced errors in the first set but caught fire in the second. Melbourne’s No. 7 seed struck four aces without double-faulting, 12 winners to seven mistakes, and he dropped a mere two points in five service games. One break was easily enough for Tsonga to level the match at a set apiece.
Federer was quick to regain momentum but he gave back another break midway through the third due to four straight errors starting at 30-0. Enter another tiebreaker, in which one mini-break was nowhere near enough for Federer this time. The world No. 2 threw away advantages at 2-1 and 4-3, but he righted the ship with a brilliant forehand pass and could do no wrong the rest of the way as he once again prevailed seven points to four.
A relatively bizarre fourth set featured three breaks of serve–all in succession. After the two competitors squandered a combined five break points early, Tsonga finally broke for 4-2, gave it right back for 4-3, then broke yet again for 5-3. A are comfortable hold came in the ninth game, with the Frenchman capitalizing on set point at 40-30 with a forehand winner.
A funny moment early in the fifth set:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3K0yH0mThs]
The match’s back-and-forth nature continued in the decider, in which one poor service game ultimately cost Tsonga his upset bid. At 1-2, the world No. 8 suddenly lost miles per hour on his serve and Federer pounced by taking control of rallies early and ultimately breaking when Tsonga missed a backhand at 15-40. Tsonga made a brief push by saving four match points at 2-5 and edging ahead 15-30 at 3-5, but Federer won the final three points and converted his first chance with a punctuating volley.
Federer’s interview with Jim Courier afterward:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAjeKP5i_HM]
“The whole match was tough,” said Federer, who recorded 49 winners and 47 unforced errors. “Any set could have gone either way. I feel a bit lucky to come through. I feel like we played great tennis. It was a pleasure playing against Jo tonight because he played great, too.
“It’s special when you play at night. It’s special when you go the distance. It’s electric…. I had to do some serious defending. It’s very much become a game of movement today with the slower courts and as quick as we are and all that.
“I think today I just play better,” Tsonga responded when asked to compare this to his 2011 Wimbledon stunner over Federer. “I just played better, because I think Roger was playing better at this time…. I’m a bit in the bad mood because I lost it. But in other way I played a good match. I was solid. I was there every time. I just gave my best today, so I’m proud of that.”
Federer-Tsonga highlights:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjAjQ1259eQ]
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