The blockbuster match between Novak Djokovic
and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will take place on Tuesday, the 5th June to
decide the semi-finalist from this quarter. Both had five setters in the fourth
round, Djokovic surprisingly stretched by Andreas Seppi and Tsonga, blessed to
survive against Stanislas Wawrinka. They have met ten times before and are even
in head-to-head meetings.
Djokovic is the best player in the world, but
is not in the best form. Tsonga is in the quarterfinals for the first time.
Djokovic was troubled by the low height of Seppi shots and was not getting a
clean strike. Tsonga does not play that type of ground strokes. He has however
different game plan than Seppi. Tsonga goes on attack, except when he has to
convert a break point. He is a natural mover to the net, but surprisingly did
not adopt that strategy in his previous match against Wawrinka. He was playing
a defensive game which is not his basic nature. He won, though not because of
his excellent defence. When playing the best player in the world, he will have
to bring in his best game style. The problem however is that Djokovic thrives
on pace. It is against players like Federer, or Seppi yesterday, that he
struggles since ball does not come with constant pace to him. It also sometimes
happens when playing against Alexandr Dolgopolov. Tsonga has slice on backhand,
but it is mostly to stay in the rally on a low and short ball. This might not
induce error from Djokovic on a regular basis. Djokovic has better forehand and
backhand than Tsonga. Both are equally fast in court coverage, but Djokovic is
more balanced while executing ground strokes. Tsonga has a heavier frame, which
imparts more than optimum body momentum. Some of the volley failures can be
attributed to this. His failure to impart precision on wider shots is due to
his failure to control body momentum on the run.
Tsonga has marginally better first serve and
might serve more aces. Djokovic has the best return of serve and that is going
to induce many errors on the third shot of the rally. He has excellent
anticipation, but then Tsonga does not play many pre-determined shots unlike
Rafael Nadal. However his inside out shot from the ad court is a regular shot
which is becoming easier to anticipate. This will go to the backhand of
Djokovic which is the best in the world today. Tsonga’s backhand is good enough
to keep him in the rally, but he hits more winners on the forehand side.
Djokovic is much more consistent on ground strokes and it would be futile to
score points through longer rallies. If Tsonga changes to his net attacking
game behind good approaching shot, he can disturb Djokovic rhythm to some
extent. However, since Djokovic possesses excellent passing shots, Tsonga will
have to bring his best volleying abilities to the fore.
If Tsonga has to defeat Djokovic, it should
be within four sets with extra-ordinary aggression. Djokovic is too strong to
succumb in the fifth set. It is a difficult task for Tsonga, but not
impossible.
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