Tsonga puts Fish in his place

 

Originally published on: 22/11/11 16:09

Jo-Wifried Tsonga picked up his first win of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in style and put himself in a healthy position going into the last group game against Rafael Nadal.

“You know, it’s really good to win for the first time here. Of course, it is good for my confidence, too, because I will play a match to qualify for semis in the next round maybe,” said the world No.6.

The opening set was a tight affair with both players exchanging breaks of serve but Tsonga proved too solid for his American opponent at the businness end of the opener, clinching his 25th tiebreak win of the year (7-4) and with it the first set.

The only time the pair met before was at this year’s US Open, when Tsonga emerged victorious in a five-set thriller, and when Fish opened up the second set with a break of serve it looked as if we would be in it for the long haul once again. But the Frenchman, who won 10 out of 13 net points, reeled off the next six games in a display of ferocious power to take the set 6-1.

Next up for Tsonga is world No.2 Nadal, who takes on Federer in a blockbusting clash during the evening session.

“I know it is difficult for my opponent to break me on this surface,” said Tsonga. “Rafa plays far from the baseline, so I can be in the court. This is what I like. So I hope it will be an advantage for me to play indoors.”

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