Jo Wilfiried Tsonga delighted the home crowd with a stunning 4 set win over Tomas Berdych. The 2013 semi-finalist played a brilliant match to oust 4th seed Berdych and become the first out of a possible 5 Frenchman into the QFs. Meanwhiole in the Women’s darw, rising WTA star Elina Svitloina spoiled the French party, by ending Alize Cornet’s hopes of a first ever Grand Slam QF, let alone one at her home Major. The 20 year old Ukrainian eventually won on her sixth match-point, finally getting past her opponent 13 points to 11 in the 2nd set tie-breaker. Also 2008 Champion Ana Ivanovic reached her first French Open quarterfinal since winning the title 7 years ago, with a tough 3 set victory over Ekaterina Makarova.
Roland Garros, Day 8: MS 4th rd
Tsonga bt Berdych: 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3
Jo Wilfried Tsonga gave his home crowd loads to smile about, as he put on a sensational display, to beat 4th seed- Tomas Berdych.
Tsonga the 2013 SF played out of his skin in getting past Berdych, himself a former SF in 2009.
Berdych has been ever so consisted this season, reaching the QFs or better of every single tournament he’s played in. Tsonga meanwhile came back from injury and only started his season, post Australian Open.
In the opening set, Berdych was all over the place, making an uncharacteristically 22 unforced errors. Tsonga pounced on his rivals erratic display and take the first set by 6-3. The Frenchman’s onslaught continued into the 2nd set, as he flew past Tomas to take the 2nd set, even more impressively: 6-2.
Things then got increasingly tense, when Tsonga served for the match at 5-4 in the 3rd set. The 30 year old Alpha-Male was a mere two points away from victory at 30 all, when Berdych at the last attempt broke and soon took it into a tie-break.
Tomas fell 3-0 down in the breaker, but somehow fired himself up, to roar back and steal the set: 7-5.
It looked like Berdych was on course to force a 5th set and potentially come back from 2 sets to love down, up 3-1 in the 4th. Tsonga though wasn’t about to lie down and wanted to finish the job off, right here, right now.
3-1 down, Jo went on a lighting charge, winning 6 games on the trot to round out the big win by 6-3.
4th rd results:
-Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland) beat 12-Gilles Simon (France) 6-1 6-4 6-2
5-Kei Nishikori (Japan) beat Teymuraz Gabashvili (Russia) 6-3 6-4 6-2
*Federer vs Monfils: 6-3, 4-6. Postponed till Monday, due to bad light: Match tied at 1 set a piece
WS Day 8: 4th rd
Ivanovic bt Makarova: 7-5, 3-6, 6-1 & Svitolina bt Cornet: 6-2, 7-6 (11-9)
Rising WTA Star Elina Svitolina made the most of her golden opportunity, by knocking out home hope Alize Cornet and reaching her maiden Grand am QF.
Both Cornet and Svitolina were fighting for a first ever QF berth in a Major. Cornet had hoped to reach the last 8 of her home Slam for the first time and attempt to become the first Frenchwoman since Mary Pierce (in 2000), in lifting the trophy. But it was the more attacking style of the 20 year old Ukrainian, which saw her advance to the quarter-finals.
The first set was all about Svitolina, with Cornet really nowhere to be seen. Ripping winner after winner past Alize, Svitolina raced away with the opener by 6-2. Elina continued her barrage into the 2nd set, when she broke early, to take a 4-2 lead. Facing the prospect if going down 5-2, Cornet mustered up of all her fighting spirit to save all 3bps and hold for 4-3.
Time after time Svitlona was on the verge of victory, coming within 2 points of the win on 2 separate occasions. But Cornet hung on and forced a tie-break, when the drama reached feverish levels of tension.
Fighting back from the brink, Alize saved 3 match points, before holding a set-point of her own at 7-6. Svitolina however wasn’t going to lie down and thundered down a forehand winner past Cornet. In the end, Cornet saved another two MPs, before Svitolina finally broke her resistance, in taking the win on her 6th match-point: 11-9
Her opponent in her maiden QF appearance, will be 2008 RG Champion: Ana Ivanovic.
The Serbian played brilliantly t battle past 8th seed Ekaterina Makarova and reach her first QF in Paris, since winning the title 7 years ago.
The first two sets to be honest with you, were about 1 player dominating each set.
Rain interrupted early on, with Ivanovic leading 3-2 in the first set. On the resumption, Ana continued her solidness to eventually sneak it out by 7-5. Makarova twice a GS SF, then levelled to take the 2nd set, a little more easily though: 6-3.
Come the 3rd and deciding set however, it was all about Ivanovic again. The former World No1 stormed through to win it by 6-1 and make only her 3rd Major QF, since claiming the French Open Crown in 2008.
The last 2 WS 4th rd matches- Sharapova vs Safarova & Muguruza vs Pennetta- rescheduled for tomorrow.
All Things Tennis- from Hamza Shakeel 