Djokovic, Federer pushed to the limit at French Open

Day ten of the 2012 French Open served up a treat on Tuesday as both Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer were made to struggle in order to progress to the semifinals in arguably the best fashion possible. Only hours after seeing Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray demolish their opponents, the day’s action was far more different.

The Serb world number one was entailed in a battle with the last Frenchman standing, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Two days prior, the top seed was taken to a five-set thriller and, against Tsonga, had to replicate the form that allowed him to triumph. In a match that lasted four hours and five minutes, Djokovic was victorious 6-1, 5-7, 5-7, 7-6(6), 6-1. At the end of the match, the home favorite seemed disappointed by his unlucky defeat.

“This is probably the most difficult defeat or loss in my career” Tsonga said.

In what was an exciting encounter, the Frenchman succumbed four match points en route to committing 61 unforced errors; some unusual stats considering that he won 90 per cent of his 156 service points. Five times major champion Djokovic however converted 44 winners and seven aces, presumably overwhelming the also powerful Tsonga.

Although, nerves seem to be the main objective to conquer as he only secured 63 percent of his points when serving at 30/30 or deuce. He next meets Roger Federer, a tactical mastermind who leads the head-to-head record 14-11.

“Last year we were part of a great match that went the distance, and he played incredibly well” said Djokovic when asked about the man who ended his superb 41-0 record in 2011.

The Swiss star was also made to sweat as a stubborn Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina refused to concede defeat. That was until the third set when Federer decided to up his game and manipulate his injured opponent, claiming victory 3-6, 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-0, 6-3. The South American believes he played well though.

“I played a great match, even [in] the third and fourth sets” said Del Potro.

Reaching his 31st Grand Slam semifinal in three hours and 14 minutes, Federer found it difficult to handle the hard-hitting ninth seed that was on course to cause a major upset in Paris. Del Potro lost only eight points on his first serve and broke four times in the first two sets.

Yet a niggling knee injury flared up and Federer took the opportunity to strike, losing just eight points in the 23 minute fourth set and swiftly finishing to claim his 237th career win at a major. The downfall of Del Potro could have been the committing of 43 unforced errors – as much as Federer – but only producing a 35 per cent return rate.

“I'm very happy with the way I fought and started in the third set, fourth set, and even in the fifth set” said Federer who now leads the head-to-head record 8-2.


(Additional writing by Matthew Bolton)