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Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Mutua Madrid Open 2013: Tsonga Versus Haase - Preview


Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Robin Haase meet for the first time in their career in the second round of Mutua Madrid Open 2013 on Wednesday, the 8th May, 2013. Haase has already played two matches in the qualifying round and has defeated Michael Llodra in the second qualifying match. In the first round, he scored an impressive win over Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-3 6-7 6-2. Tsonga is the seventh seed here and will be playing his first match.

Haase has given troubles to higher ranked players in the past. He has tasted victories over the likes of Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych. After the knee surgeries, he has not been as dangerous. He can sustain form in a three set format more than in a five set format. He plays well to accomplish conversion of the break points but tends to lose his nerves as the finishing line approaches. Errors can creep in to his game and take the plot away from him.

Tsonga has always played better on hard courts, but clay is no longer his weaker surface, especially after his titanic effort against Novak Djokovic at the Roland Garros 2012. His flamboyancy takes him in to winning position against the higher seeds, but he does not have as good a defence to last against the likes of Rafael Nadal. In Haase, he will have an opponent who does not himself play a defensive game to win on clay. Both the players are likely to attack. Tsonga has a better all court game and takes more risks. However, his opponent may have a “nothing to lose” attitude and no burden of expectations.

Haase has the potential to give a tough fight, but will require faults from the other side to cause an upset. In the normal circumstances, Tsonga will progress to the third round.  

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