Jo-Wilfried Tsonga knows what it’s like to be successful on Australian soil. The loveable Frenchman has enjoyed his greatest success on the blue courts of Melbourne Park, finishing runner-up in 2008 and making the semi-finals again this year.
But on Friday night, Tsonga comes up against the tennis world’s definition of ‘success’, Roger Federer. Federer is already a three-time Australian Open champion and has a list of honours that includes but is not exclusive to; 15 Grand Slam singles titles, 23 consecutive Grand Slam singles semi-final appearances and world No.1 for a record 237 consecutive weeks (2004-08).
Affectionately known as the ‘Swiss Maestro’, Federer has collected more than US$53 million in prizemoney, and this Australian Open is his 41st Grand Slam event. He is already guaranteed at least another $400,000 through his performances this fortnight.
Meanwhile, Australian Open 2010 is Tsonga’s 11th Grand Slam event and, on the back of Friday night, he will break into the US$4 million mark, which could easily swell as high as US$6 million by week’s end.
Basic facts and figures aside, what do we know about these two crowd pleasers and showmen?
We know Federer is synonymous with the ‘best’; he is everything young tennis stars dream of becoming and grown men, like Tsonga, respect. But the Frenchman, currently ranked world No.10, will walk onto Rod Laver Arena tomorrow night with pride in his step and hope in his heart.
The world No.1 may be four years his senior and touted as outright favourite, but what is age when it comes to play-making and excitement? Anyone who has had the privilege of watching Tsonga over the past 12 days can testify that these are two qualities the 24-year-old has in spades.
His on-court confidence will only get a further boost when you flick back through the record books. He and Federer have clashed twice before, and it’s one win apiece. In their most recent outing at the Rogers Cup in Montreal last August, Tsonga fought back from 1-5 deficit in the third set to cause a 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(3) upset.
When asked if this would give him any confidence going into tonight, Tsonga was realistic.
“I know I can do that (beat Federer), but it was completely different (in Toronto). Now I have to win three sets, and it's going to be difficult for sure.
“I have to play my best tennis. Roger played unbelievable (on Wednesday) again, because
Nikolay (Davydenko) was in good shape, so it's going to be tough. But like (against Novak Djokovic), I will give everything and we will see,” he said.
The last two matches the Frenchman played this week, against Nicolas Almagro and world No.3 Djokovic, were the first five-setters of his career. He survived both in style.
Standing at 188cm (a touch taller than Federer), he is renowned for his big serve, the fastest this tournament clocked at 217km/h. And for a man with a big frame, he gets around the court like a cheetah chasing gazelle. He has a great mixture of shots, easily switching from the aggressive baseline play to defensive work at the net. Throw in his trademark volleying and dangerous drop shot and he is a force to be reckoned with.
Federer has a bit of research to do.
“Tsonga …I've only played twice as far as I remember, so I don't know that much about him … But, yeah, he's a dangerous player. Very athletic, obviously,” Federer admitted.
Federer, on the other hand, is yet to play a five-set match this tournament. Igor Andreev and Nikolay Davydenko did their best, but four sets were all they could manage.
While Tsonga has amassed 13 hours and 25 minutes on-court and conceded 87 games to some quality opposition, Federer has sweated two hours and 43 minutes less and only dropped 55 games en route to the semi-final. Unlike Tsonga, Federer is the hunted. Opponents come out guns blazing when they play against the world No.1, and it’s no easy feat even for the world’s best to withstand the pressure.
“I think looking at the draw with [Lleyton] Hewitt in the fourth round and Davydenko in the quarters ... for some reason I was just a bit worried I was not going to make it this time in the semis. You always believe the streak is going to be broken,” he confessed.
Federer, who almost always looks relaxed, smooth and mentally in control on-court, will put on a show. Rest assured that you will witness the prowess of his forehand, the cool slice of his one-handed backhand and agility in his groundstrokes that will have your jaw hanging. He is sublime to, whether you're photographing him from the stands or peering from over the other side of the net.
Over the past 12 days, Federer has hit a remarkable 201 winners, 84 more than the combined total of his past opponents. He beat Davydenko 6-0 in the third set on the back of only two of those 201 winners. For a less promising stat, he has committed 161 unforced errors, only 13 less than the five men to have fallen at his feet.
Not only is a berth in another Australian Open final on the line for both players, but Tsonga’s pursuit will be in the hope of becoming the first Frenchman to win the title since Jean Borotra in 1928.
“My two last match(es) were tough, and I did it. Why not against Roger?” asks Tsonga.
Meanwhile, Federer has a chase to avoid but also one of his own to accomplish. A win at Australian Open 2010 will secure his 268th week at the top ranking, placing him third in the all-time list, equal to Jimmy Connors. From there, he is two weeks off taking Ivan Lendl’s second place - and only 19 weeks off surpassing Pete Sampras.
Let the hunt begin.
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