Roger Federer faces his toughest test at the Australian Open thus far when he plays in-form Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in tonight’s quarter-final. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm AEDT.
Federer has yet to drop a set en route to the quarter-finals and is well on course to attaining a fifth Australian Open crown and 18th Grand Slam overall.
The Swiss maestro was very impressive in his recent wins over young stars Bernard Tomic and Milos Raonic and will need to keep his high standards up against Tsonga tonight.
Despite a poor head-to-head record against Federer, Tsonga has shown he is capable of beating the former world no. 1 at Grand Slam level, as evidenced by his shock victory over the Swiss star at the 2011 Wimbledon Championships.
What made that victory so impressive was the fact Tsonga came back from two sets to love down to defeat Federer on the surface he has dominated for the best part of a decade now.
Although Tsonga certainly has the talent to defeat Federer tonight, the Frenchman is no stranger to losing his way mentally in big matches and will need to be fully switched on if he is a chance of progressing to the Australian Open semi-finals.
Prediction
Tsonga possesses a big game and is well known for his penetrative serves and groundstrokes off the forehand and backhand side.
In full flight, Tsonga’s power and talent is on par with the likes of Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.
With this in mind, expect Tsonga to serve and volley consistently tonight in a bid to keep points short against a player who will dominate any extensive rallies they may play.
Look for Tsonga to also punish any short balls with his forehand, which is very capable of finishing off points quickly against any player.
Federer meanwhile will look to keep the ball in play for as long as possible early in the contest in a bid to encourage unforced errors from Tsonga’s racquet.
At 31 years of age, Federer still covers the court better than Tsonga so expect the Swiss star to move the Frenchman from side to side in a bid to unsettle his opponent’s power game.
All things being even, tonight’s contest should be a cracker with both players fairly evenly matched when it comes to power and shot making.
Although Tsonga should provide Federer with a few problems, the Swiss star remains a solid bet to progress to another Australian Open semi-final.
Federer in four tight sets.
aggregated drupe
Roar Pro
Close by Tsonga, bad luck.
Jason Cave
Guest
Out of the 'big 4' grand slams-Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open, I'd say the Australian Open is the best grand slam to watch, because as we have seen throughout the tournament to date, it has given us great matches and unbeliveable tennis results. After all, did anyone pick Sloane Stephens to beat Serena Williams yesterday?
Alan
Roar Guru
Federer will now play Murray for a place in the 2013 Aus Open final after beating Tsonga in five entertaining sets. The Frenchman was aggressive from the get go and really had Federer in trouble throughout the match but the Swiss maestro showed his class when it counted, particularly in the two tiebreakers tonight. Great contest between two quality players. Thanks for joining us tonight and please join us tomorrow for Djokovic - Ferrer. Tsonga 6 6 6 6 3 Federer 7 4 7 3 6
Alan
Roar Guru
GAME SET AND MATCH FEDERER - Federer with a forehand smash secures the match in five great sets of entertaining tennis. Well played Tsonga tonight for pushing the greatest player of all time. Tsonga 6 6 6 6 3 Federer 7 4 7 3 6
Alan
Roar Guru
Federer with a great wide serve that Tsonga returns long and its 30 all. Federer with another clutch backhand down the line brings up match point Tsonga 6 6 6 6 3 Federer 7 4 7 3 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Great volley at the net from Federer forces the error and Tsonga hits the net with the backhand. 15 all. Federer nets the backhand and its 15-30 here.... Tsonga 6 6 6 6 3 Federer 7 4 7 3 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Great forehand from Tsonga and its 0-15 here. Great aggressive play from Tsonga here and Federer better be careful here Tsonga 6 6 6 6 3 Federer 7 4 7 3 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Game point Tsonga now courtesy of another ace out wide. Tsonga still alive but barely and he produces another strong serve out wide and he holds well. Tsonga 6 6 6 6 3 Federer 7 4 7 3 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Federer nets the backhand there and he won't be happy with that. Deuce. Another match point saved for Tsonga. Tsonga 6 6 6 6 2 Federer 7 4 7 3 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Tsonga's backhand slice hits the net and its another match point for Federer here. His fourth of the night Tsonga 6 6 6 6 2 Federer 7 4 7 3 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Federer nets the backhand and its game point yet again for Tsonga who is hanging on by the skin of his teeth. Federer too good with the backhand down the line and its deuce Tsonga 6 6 6 6 2 Federer 7 4 7 3 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Federer long with the forehand and Tsonga now has game point after saving three match points earlier. Tsonga long with the backhand and that's one he should have made. Deuce Tsonga 6 6 6 6 2 Federer 7 4 7 3 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Tsonga with a terrific volley at the net after it appeared that Federer did enough with his forehand drop shot after he chased down Tsonga's drop shot. Deuce Tsonga 6 6 6 6 2 Federer 7 4 7 3 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Great athleticism by Tsonga but Federer is still too good with his play. Another match point for the Swiss maestro Tsonga 6 6 6 6 2 Federer 7 4 7 3 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Tsonga saves a match point with a strong serve down the tee. 30-40. Great second serve and its deuce. That was gutsy by Tsonga Tsonga 6 6 6 6 2 Federer 7 4 7 3 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Tsonga nets another forehand and its 15-30 and he then goes well wide with the forehand and its two match points for Federer Tsonga 6 6 6 6 2 Federer 7 4 7 3 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Tsonga nets the backhand and its 0-15. Tsonga responds with an ace down the tee for 15 all Tsonga 6 6 6 6 2 Federer 7 4 7 3 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Federer holds with a delicate volley at the net and he is just one game away from facing Murray in the semi-finals. Tsonga 6 6 6 6 2 Federer 7 4 7 3 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Tsonga nets the backhand and its 30-15 Federer. Tsonga did not need that because he was in that point. Federer gets a much needed first serve and then finishes the point with the smash for game point Tsonga 6 6 6 6 2 Federer 7 4 7 3 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Tsonga with a strong backhand and he wins the vital first point against the server. 0-15. Tsonga not out of this yet. Bad play from Tsonga to opt for the slice as Federer chases it down easily and hits the forehand down the line. 15 all Tsonga 6 6 6 6 2 Federer 7 4 7 3 4