[澳網] Sweet-swinging Tsonga bounces Blake

看板FRA_hotties作者Escude (竹黃池冷芙蓉死)時間17年前 (2009/01/26 20:17)推噓0(0推 0噓 0→)

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Sweet-swinging Tsonga bounces Blake Monday 26 January 2009 By Helen Gilbert Jo-Wilfried Tsonga displayed the va-va-voom that took him to the Australian Open final last year as he ousted American James Blake 6-4 6-4 7-6(3) in a magical encounter on Rod Laver on Monday night. Similar in size, strength and sheer talent, the match up between the fifth and ninth seeds always promised to explosive, and the combatants did not disappoint in a match that produced spectacular tennis from the word go. On paper, this was always going to be a tight contest between two tough contenders. Just three points separate them in the world rankings, with Tsonga at seven and Blake at 10. On their one and only previous meeting – in Paris last year –Tsonga defeated Blake in straight sets. However, there is no denying that the American has been in dynamite form throughout the tournament. Tsonga progressed through to the fourth round with a niggling back problem, so it was somewhat of a surprise when the American was broken in his first service game. However, a master class in technique, variety of shot, skill and athleticism was about to unfold as the players did battle. Usually, winners speak for themselves, but tonight it was never safe to assume such a shot had been struck as both players reached breathtaking balls time and time again. At one point Tsonga - a player renowned for his colourful on-court antics - threw his hands up in the air as Blake retrieved ball after ball to win a point that the Frenchman thought he had won twice over. Another saw the 23-year-old prepare to serve but accidentally drop the ball. After it began rolling away, an animated Tsonga chased it, but the ball eluded him and again he threw his hands up - as if the effort was too much - and a ballboy retrieved it instead. Antics aside, it was the 23-year-old who claimed the first set. Blake was again broken in the opening game of the second, and Tsonga clinched set two by the same 6-4 scoreline. The explosive match was interrupted by fireworks of a different kind when Australia Day celebrations began early in the third, and the sky was filled with colour. The display interrupted play for around 10 minutes, but both men resumed the match without a warm-up. The break appeared to help Blake, who regrouped and raced to a 5-2 lead. The American then threw away a set point, and Tsonga clawed his way back to force a tiebreak. A sloppy tiebreak by the 29-year-old ensued when he began blasting balls out. Tsonga capitalised on his chances, and celebrated his victory with a little scream of joy and his familiar jig. The Frenchman now faces Fernando Verdasco in the semifinals after the Spaniard shocked fourth seed Andy Murray in five sets earlier on Monday. Quick facts Tsonga served 12 aces, while Blake had four Tsonga had 46 winners to Blake’s 32, while the Frenchman had 31 unforced errors to the American’s 27 Tsonga served at 64 per cent, and won 84 per cent of points when he landed his first serve The first two sets lasted a combined 76 minutes; the final set lasted 68 minutes Rod Laver Arena - Men's Singles - 4th Round James Blake USA (9) 4 4 6(3) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga FRA (5) Winner 6 6 7(7) -- FRA_hotties∥法國網球板國家體育場汗水, 鬥志, 膽識 PttTennis 網球 Σ網球/國家/區域/球星 FRA_hotties 國家 ◎ ～～～法國網球，網球法國～～～ -- ※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 79.73.43.33