But Tsonga now faces the steepest of challenges against Djokovic, who moves into his 13th straight final on a 16-match winning streak, and has never lost a final in China.
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Grand slam champions John Newcombe, Lleyton Hewitt and Pat Rafter all reached No. 1 under the ATP Tour Emirates computer system, while Wimbledon victor Pat Cash peaked at No.4. “I guess it depends how you feel on a given day, depends how well your opponent is playing, how well you’re playing”.
“I felt like I wasn’t having to do much defending – I was really going for my shots”. I just need to adjust a little bit a few more things.
The results: Quarterfinals: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga bt Kevin Anderson 7-6(6), 5-7, 6-4; Rafael Nadal bt Stan Wawrinka 6-2, 6-1; Novak Djokovic bt Bernard Tomic 7-6(6), 6-1; Andy Murray bt Tomas Berdych 6-1, 6-3.
Tomic’s well-documented fragility returned in the second set against Djokovic as he lost 7-6 (8/6), 6-1, but not before he pushed the world number one all the way in the opener.
There appeared to be a light at the end of the tunnel, when in the first game of the second set, Murray broke as Djokovic suddenly lacked vigour on his serve. Any time he asks me, I try to answer, try to encourage him to work.
“I brought this tournament’s confidence into this match in the first set and looking back last week he didn’t lose more than a 6-3 (set) against quality, quality players”.
Tsonga was faced with the task of producing his very best serving if he was to avoid his second delivery getting the same treatment time and again-or at least avoiding long, rhythm-strengthening rallies for Djokovic.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is kicking his game into top gear at the flawless time, advancing to the final of the Shanghai Rolex Masters with a gripping three-set victory over Rafael Nadal on Saturday.
The British No 1 tore past his long-time Czech rival in a dominant fashion and will be rewarded by a final four tie against the world’s highest ranked player, with whom he also shares a storied history. I didn’t get exhausted.
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The 30-year-old Frenchman produced an eye-catching dive to force match point, which he converted to reach his first Masters final since he triumphed in Toronto past year. Djokovic’s record showed he was virtually impregnable on Chinese soil, up to 37 wins in his last 38 matches, with nine titles-six in Beijing and three in Shanghai.
