[1]N.Djokovic d. [9]J.W.Tsonga 6-3 6-2 ret.
Djokovic’s curse does not seem to end at this year’s US Open as for the third time in five matches does not need to complete the three sets to bring home the “W”.
After the walkover in the second round due to Jiri Vesely’s withdrawal and only six games played in the third round against Youhzny before his opponent’s retirement, Novak Djokovic just needed to play two sets in Tuesday night’s match with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga before the Frenchmen retired due to a left knee injury.
The rain that has been falling on New York throughout the evening forced the USTA to use the brand new roof and transform the Arthur Ashe into an indoor arena. Aside from the increased noise pollution caused by the cover, the retractable roof causes strong wind rifts to blow from the inside to the outside through the open gates, owing to the very powerful air conditioning system. The players on court generally do not feel the effects of the wind but a lot more litter is being blown throughout the stadium by these rifts.
The first break point of the match was for Tsonga in the fifth game, who wasted it with a forehand error. Three games later it was Djokovic’s turn to have a break point, and he didn’t falter: it’s 5-3, and shortly after the first set is gone into Nole’s hands.
Tsonga’s wavering backhand and his inconsistency with the second serve (0/8) sealed his fate in the first set, and the trend did not change even in the second: with a trademark forehand passing shot and a backhand volley at 40-40 in the third game Djokovic took a break and a commanding lead at 2-1, since his domination on serve afterwards made it impossible for Tsonga to get even the faintest look at a break point.
At 2-5 the Frenchman calls a Medical Timeout for a knee problem: the intervention on court does not sort any effect and Tsonga is forced to retire one game and one point later. “ It’s something I had already in the past, so I know exactly what’s happen – said Tsonga to the press after the match – So, yeah, I knew it was over for me straightaway, because when I have my knee, of course, it’s already tough to play against one of the best tennis player. But when I don’t have my knee, I have no chance to come back from two sets to love. So for me, it’s important to save what I can save”.
Djokovic benefits then of the third retirement in the tournament (“it had never happened to me before”) and clinches the tenth semifinal in a row at the US Open, where he will face Gael Monfils on Friday. “I love watching Gaël. He’s one of the few players that I will definitely pay a ticket to watch – said Djokovic – He’s very charismatic. Plays with a smile. Enjoys tennis. Enjoys life. But also, he seems more focused at this time of his career. Especially on the hard court this year maybe he’s playing the best tennis he ever played. He’s very consistent. He hasn’t dropped a set till semis. That says a lot about the level he’s on. Definitely expecting a tough battle”.
