Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will face a tough opponent
in Fernando Verdasco in the third round of Monte-Carlo Rolex Open on Thursday,
the 19th April. Both have won once each in the previous two
encounters. They will meet for the first time on clay.
Verdasco
struggled against Ivan Dodig losing the first set in the second round. In the
first round too, he lost the first set to Olivier Rochus. Tsonga had a comfortable
victory over tricky Philipp Kohlschreiber. Verdasco is not the player he was
two-three years ago, while Tsonga has reached his highest ranking of five this
year. However, when the Spanish players see the red dirt, they turn into a
different mode. Their motto becomes to retrieve all shots and send one more
across. This can frustrate many opponents who think they have hit a winner, but
have to hit yet another. Patience is not a hallmark of Tsonga’s game. He likes
to hit winners and go on the attack. He would approach the net irrespective of
the surface and the opponent. Verdasco has the capability to pass a volleyer. Tsonga
is serving well, but his serve advantage from the ad court is likely to be
neutralised by a left hander Verdasco.
The overall
advantage lies with Tsonga, but Verdasco has the left hand and clay court
advantage which can sometimes prove decisive.
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