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2010-01-28 18:39:37
The Tennistalk panel has been breaking down the “Matches of the Day” for each day of the Australian Open. We're down to one match per day, and Friday's showdown features Roger Federer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
(1) Roger Federer vs. (10) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
The head-to-head series is tied at one apiece, and both meetings came on hard courts.
2008 Madrid Masters 3rd round: Federer 6-4, 6-1
2009 Montreal Masters quarterfinals: Tsonga 7-6(5), 1-6, 7-6(3)
"Cruel" Ricky Dimon: Federer in 4 (6-3, 6-7(6), 6-4, 6-3) - Tsonga beat Federer last summer in Montreal, but Federer is a whole different beat in Grand Slams. He has won 15 of these things and he has now been in 23 straight slam semifinals. For Tsonga, on the other hand, this is just his second major semifinal (reached the 2008 Australian Open title match and lost to Djokovic). Obviously Federer is an overwhelming favorite, and not just because he has been lethal in recent wins over Hewitt and Davydenko.
The good news for Tsonga, however, is that he has nothing to lose and should feel like he can swing for the fences as a heavy underdog. When he does that, the Frenchman can be flat-out scary. Tsonga enjoys the big stage and he has the talent to give Federer a real battle, but I certainly don't see him winning this. Federer should get the job done in four after an early test.
Cheryl "cellar dweller" Murray: Federer in 4 (4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3) - Tsonga is playing well, no doubt about it. He looked great against Djokovic, though I have to think that Djokovic having the stomach flu might have had something to do with his loss. All of that being said, Tsonga doesn't have the sort of game that gives Federer problems. Tsonga wins matches with pace of shot off the baseline (mostly). Federer can handle pace in his sleep. In fact, the Swiss maestro USES his opponent's pace against him much of the time.
The thing that gets under Federer's skin is either court craft like Murray has, or else interminable rallies aimed over and over and over at his backhand until he either makes an error or hits a short ball (Nadal). Tsonga does neither of those things. The Frenchman might get a set, but there is no WAY he's going to get three.
Tsonga has also played some magical stuff so far. His serve has generally worked well and his forehand has been exceptional at times. He wasn't at his very best against Djokovic in the quarterfinals, but he managed to stay composed after a disappointing third set and rallied to clinch his second consecutive five-set victory.The Frenchman could well have one of his brilliant spells in this match, but Federer is likely to respond in style.
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missRF,
I'm so excited. Here's to a great match to all federer fans!
C'moon Roger!
maxi , 1/28/10 8:01 PM
hahahahha...u guys are awesome , other then those sad and depressing rafa moments this has been the most enjoyable and joyful slam i have ever seen and 'experienced' in my life :D u guys rock, too good and too much fun with those nicks
vamosrafa , 1/28/10 9:16 PM
Prediction? Pain.
SenorPlaid , 1/28/10 10:54 PM
Federer in 3
bolbol , 1/29/10 1:23 AM
this is like Isner vs Murray prediction but what a heck, Stronga in 4.
rfzr , 1/29/10 1:25 AM
fed in 4
alex , 1/29/10 2:11 AM
Fed in 4 sounds good to me. If It goes to a 5 setter..then I'll have a heartattack.
Allez Rodgeur!
10sfan , 1/29/10 2:12 AM
hahaha. Stronga.
stu , 1/29/10 3:09 AM
This is going to be a tough match . We all once thought that Tsonga did not have any fire power against Fed and we were so wrong . I expect him to be taking insane risk in his game cos he has nothing to loose against the maestro . Nevertheless , as always , the game will be won or lost on Fed's racquet . If the serve is clicking and the UE's is low ........its all gold for the maestro . The winners will automatically come ...its in his nature to hit those insane winners .
I see the FedExpress trains pulling into yet another GS Final at the end of 2day ....
C'MON !!
AO10 ..time to lift another one down under
fedexfan , 1/29/10 9:39 AM
Fed breaks in second....... commn Fed !!!!
tomnjerry2 , 1/29/10 10:32 AM
my prediction: Fed in 3
bjawad , 1/29/10 10:42 AM
TT, may I suggest that the poll be updated as the tournament moves on. It seems nonsensical that it is showing that there are people who still think that palyers who are already out of the tournament could still win it.
Get Well Soon Rafa
Vamos
carrie , 1/29/10 10:54 AM
this is going to be easy for Federer..Fed in 3..peRFect!!!
GoldenRose , 1/29/10 10:59 AM
This match is boring in the extreme!
Get Well Soon Rafa
Vamos
carrie , 1/29/10 11:01 AM
After a good training session roger federer rides rollercoaster in to the finals where the wily andy murray awaits him.Here are the updated standings for 19 jan 2010 :
1.Ricky 'Demon' :27 points ( is unflinching in his intentions of winning the competition and extending his domain of cruelty shown so far towards his rivals ,hopping in tsonga style yells ' I am the MAN' !! )
1.Vicent: 27 points (has glued himself to the top spot like a leech glues itself to the skin! the hellbent competitor will give it his best shot and declares openly 'fortune favors not only the brave but the wisest so FEAR ricky ' :P )
3.Cheryl :26 points (frustrating moments for this hardy fighter,needs a 'blend of luck and magical forecasting' to spur herself to the crest! vamos cheryl)
vamosrafa , 1/29/10 11:52 AM
*ricky dimon will most probably sustain his firm hold on the prestigious golden racquet ,only ONE more ROUND to go.
*cheryl make a prediction that is likely to be different from your rivals so that you may stand a chance of levelling things up.
*as a reminder, if we have the top spot shared by multiple competitors then we will have a tie break.
vamosrafa , 1/29/10 11:56 AM
Yup. Boring match. Not even close. Tsonga's tired or just got steamrolled. I dunno. I had a feeling it's gonna be in 3. Now lets get down to REAL business.
torres9 , 1/29/10 11:57 AM
carrie: watching paint dry would've been more interesting! Where was Tsonga's plan b? Oh, he's not got one, oh....
deuce , 1/29/10 1:17 PM
Murray is definitely not going to lie on his back and have his tummy tickled. If only Djokovic had not taken ill and beaten Tsonga, we would at least have had a contest.
Get Well Soon Rafa - tennis needs you badly!
Vamos
carrie , 1/29/10 1:45 PM
How can Nole and Muzza (or even Roger to a lesser degree) celebrate their bumps in ranking knowing that if Rafa was fit and participating 100% it would never have happened?
stu , 1/29/10 2:55 PM
stu, we know it happened since last year, but that is history. Don't bring this up as it may stir the pot. I just want Rafa to rest and recover and be fully fit and healthy for his next tournament. Don't need to worry about the ranking, for when he starts winning, his ranking will go up accordingly. Just be patient and wait for him to come back.
luckystar , 1/29/10 3:58 PM
Luckystar, I agree. Rafans should accept the ranking because we can't change it, it's unfortunate but that's life. Last year I worried about Rafa losing his No1 ranking, then No2 and now who knows, but that did not change anything so we just have to live with it and hope he comes back stronger.
Get Well Soon Rafa - tennis needs you badly!
Vamos
carrie , 1/29/10 4:22 PM
Well one positive of Nadal going down the rankings is that if he goes low enough, Fedex's streak of 23 straight semi finals could end at RG. :)
vmk1 , 1/29/10 4:49 PM
great match.....for federer.
so sorry, rafans. i know, had rafa blown out someone, anyone in a GS semi-final, the match would have been oh-so-fabulously interesting just watching the magical way he executed every brilliant detail.
vamos rafa!
tennis needs you badly
zoey234 , 1/29/10 5:16 PM
Federer vs. Murray - http://www.tennistalk.com/en/blog/Ricky_Dimon/20100129/Australian_Open _final:_Federer_vs._Murray_-_Expert_Picks
RickyDimon , 1/29/10 9:00 PM
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ROGER FOR SURE!!!!!!
ALLEZ ROGER!!!!!
DONE DEAL IN 3!!!!!
missyRF , 1/28/10 6:57 PM