Jo-Wilfried Tsonga v Roger Federer - live! | Rob Bagchi
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Second set: Federer 6-3, 0-1 Tsonga* Oh dear. Tsonga begins with a double fault, hitting the net with his first at 137mph. He's obviously going for it now and does level at 15 all with a booming second serve that caught Federer off guard. One step forward, one step, maybe two back, as Tsonga fails to challenge a call that was in by the baseline and levelled it at 30-30. He then moves in front with his best shot of the match and wins the game.
First set: Federer* 6-3 Tsonga Tales of the toss from Alec Cochrane: "A few years ago whilst captaining a 9th XI football team, having won the toss and chosen to shoot with the wind behind our backs the ref informed me that they'd changed the rules on the toss and now the winner kicked off, whilst the loser chose ends, apparently in an attempt to simplify the rules. The opposition captain then of course chose to shoot in the direction I wanted to in the first half and sure enough by the time the second half came around the wind had changed direction. I bet they don't do that in tennis." Federer wins the game to love off his serve and takes the first set. Cakewalk time unless Tsonga can string together better shots off the baseline with his strong suit near the net.
First set: Federer* 5-3 Tsonga Sorry to sound repetitive and I know it's early in the game but Federer has this ability to play wonderful shots off his forehand that Tsonga is unable to cope with. Mac thinks Tsonga is lumbering around and there's truth to that. He looks peculiarly leaden-footed but this isn't over and he wins points when he comes to the net and wins the game with a lovely return with the ball at ! foot-lev el.
First set: Federer* 5-2 Tsonga Another beautiful stop-volley for Federer's showreel puts him 15-love up and he gets up to beat Tsonga's attempt at a lob to backhand smash and go 30-15 ahead, winning the game when Tsonga's backhand isn't up to the test.
First set: Federer 4-2 Tsonga* Good first point from Tsonga, forcing Federer very wide with his serve then wrongfooting him off the return. Then vintage Federer to win with a sublime lob after a long rally where Federer manoeuvred Tsonga into position with a sadist's precision. But Tsonga recovers to take the next two points before Federer brings it deuce with a gorgeous volley. Tsonga's first ace gives him the advantage and Federer pushes it wide of the line on the right to lose the game.
First set: Federer* 4-1 Tsonga Better response from Tsonga but to this layman he seems to momentarily be sacrificing power just to make sure that he gets the ball over the net and makes Federer commit a couple of unforced errors. After losing a referral, he moves to 30-40 when Federer loosely gives him the opportunity but Federer gets back to deuce. Tsonga earns another break point by pushing Federer wide then getting close to the net to volley past him. Federer wakes up and wins the game with a pair of powerful serves that force Tsonga to overhit.
First set: Federer 3-1 Tsonga* Goodness. Nerves always play a part but Tsonga is more Bert Lahr than king of the jungle out there. He moves to 30-0 with a little luck but then can't get his feet moving when Federert pings one deep to his right and he tamely hits it into the net. He wraps up the final point with more aggression, though, to take the game.
First set: Federer* 3-0 Tsonga Tsonga again finds the net. He's not even aiming wide and overpowering his shots, simply underhitting everything as if caution has got the better of him. Federe wins to love, the final point won with a lovely sliced forehand. Mike! Cassidy writes: "Interesting chicken and lion quote from Tsonga. He may already be regretting appointing Eric Cantona as his media adviser." Seagulls and trawlers were the first thing that came to my mind, too.
First set: Federer 2-0 Tsonga* Tsonga's nerves are jangling, approaching the net to volley, nailing the first of a rally then slicing the second into the net. Federer has two break points after Tsonga again hits a routine forehand from the back right of the court into the net then does the same from the left with the first break point. Poor start from Tsonga.
First set: Federer* 1-0 Tsonga Federer chose to serve after winning the toss. Do they still do the toss with a racket, probably not but they did when I went there 20 odd years ago. A jammy net cord gets Tsonga the first point off an underhit return but Federer levels then takes the lead with a beautiful forehand from the baseline to Tsonga's right and wins the next point on his second serve as Tsonga misjudges the pace. Federer ties up the set comfortably and looks in good nick.
Mac watch: I can't get his cameo from Curb Your Enthusiasm out of my head this morning, reading the Freak Book in the back of Larry David's limo. He reckons the biggest chance of an upset today is in this match. Interesting. Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman are watching on. Roger's got his tank top on for the net photo op and the knock-up. Sue Barker says Fed trains in Dubai in 110C heat by playing two players simultaneously. Masochism leads to perfection. Remarkable John Inverdale interview with Tsonga in the build-up "you frighten a chicken by running up to it and it runs away. You do the same to a lion he eats you. You attack me, I attack you."
Preamble: Afternoon all, and welcome to coverage of the men's quarter-final between Roger Federer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. I wouldn't claim that tennis was my forte but this match is one I've been looking forward to any chance to watch Fed is! one to look forward to. He had to crank up the gears in his last match against Mikhail Youzhny but I had few doubts that he would make his 29th slam quarter-final in succession. They've met five times before but not on grass with Federer winning four of them but Tsonga's form at Queen's shows how dangerous a booming serve can be on this most unforgiving surface. Just waiting for the Daily Politics to end before I can give you a Royal Box update.
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