Jo-Wilfried Tsonga’s 2017 U.S. Open was closed shut in round two, with the door slammed by 18-year-old Denis Shapovalov. Tsonga made sure not to suffer the same fate at the 2018 Australian Open.
For most of the the three hours and 37 minutes on Wednesday afternoon, it looked like lightning would strike twice–first in New York and then in Melbourne. Instead, Shapovalov could not cross the finish line this time around and Tsonga stormed back from multiple deficits along the way to prevail 3-6, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(4), 7-5 and set up a third-round showdown with Nick Kyrgios.
“For me, I think it was an advantage to play him for the second time because I knew he was able to do things…crazy things like he did today,” the 2008 Australian Open runner-up noted. “I think (it) was something great to play him for the second time here.”
It was certainly more special for Tsonga, for whom there was nothing great against Shapovalov last summer at Flushing Meadows. Coming off a breakout performance in Montreal, where he made an improbable run to the semifinals with an upset of Rafael Nadal, the young Canadian maintained his momentum by cruising past Tsonga 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(3). Shapovalov eventually advanced to the fourth round to make his name–as hard as into pronounce–a household one in tennis circles.
The world No. 50 was poised to make another slam run Down Under, leading Tsonga after the opening set, after the third set, and after taking five of the first seven games in the decider. But that is where it all went wrong for Shapovalov, who failed to serve out the match at 5-3 and got broken again at 5-5. With momentum finally in hand, Tsonga powered his way to a routine–but clutch– hold at 6-5 to clinch his comeback win.
Highlights:
“Since the start I was (playing from) behind, Tsonga said. “I had to fight a lot and make him finish the match. He never did, so it’s good for me. But, yeah, the most important for me [is] to fight–give my best on court until the last point. That’s what I did today. I think he deserved to win also today, but I was also courageous and I did my job at the end. I played well. I think I deserve it, too.
“I just [told] myself that it can continue if you stay stable in your mind, you can continue to win all those points. That’s what I did. Yeah, (it) was surprising also for me to win this match. But I [believed], so that’s why I won. I was behind on the score, 5-2 down. It’s difficult, but it’s only one break. If you continue to win your serve, he’s going to have to finish it. It’s never easy to finish the match.”
“I think I just played well after [being down 5-2],” he said when asked if it was experience that won him the match. “I returned–what I didn’t do most of the match. I didn’t return that well. At the end I returned well. That’s it.”
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nice one, Willy
Sounded like the Dimi/McDonald match to me; in the end it’s experience in big matches that helped Tsonga and Dimi to win in the end, barely.
Dimi won because he’s basically better than his opponent. I think he didn’t take the match all that seriously because he knew this guy from a few years back, used to practice with him. He was not playing well at all at the start of the match.
Tsonga hung in there but Shapo just could not close the match out. He’ll be very disappointed. I hope! I like both of them a lot so, well, I gotta learn to be more like Rafa, who says you can be happy for one and sad for the other at the same time. Even when one of them is you.
Dimi-Rublev next
I don’t think Dimitrov or any pro (other than Bernard Tomic) will take a match lightly that could earn them tons more points and money. U gotta give Mackie a bit more credit than that lol. And if Dimitrov actually did take it lightly, he will lose doing that next round.
I tuned in to the tennis channel to see the end of Tsonga/Shapo. Great to watch it again. I am happy for Tsonga. He hung in there and came up with the shots at the end.
I agree with Ricky – nice one Willy!
Im not sad for Shapo, I mean why should I feel sad for an 18 yo? Ill feel sad for a 32 yo Tsonga should he lose, I mean how many more chances does Tsonga have left compared to Shapo?
How was Dimi better than McDonald when McDonald was playing better tennis and even bageled Dimi? I am glad that Dimi came through in the end though, because I doubt McDonald could repeat his effort in the next round should he win, I dont think hes used to battle like that all the time in BO5; Rublev in the next round is no easy opponent.
That’s exactly how I felt too lucky. Shapo is awesome but I was really hoping Tsonga would pull it out. He’s 32 now. I want to see him make a couple more runs at slams in his career. Sadly he is probably done for against Kyrgios next round.
Great comeback by Tsonga…Slov had him dead and buried…almost!!!