Tsonga's for real

[dh003i]

I think Tsonga is playing some awesome tennis, and he's an awesome player. For the first time since I started watching Federer, I can say that if he makes it to the final, I won't be rooting for him. I won't be rooting against him either. But Tsonga's been playing so great -- so much beautiful wonderful net play -- that I really can't root against him.

Tsonga is for real. He isn't like Gonzo or Bags. He is playing within himself. Maybe he's playing great tennis, some of his best tennis, but I don't think he's playing above himself. I disagree with Nadal, I think this is his level.

PS: Nadal played some great tennis too. He was very fast, made some excellent shots. Wasn't playing poor by any stretch of the imagination, except perhaps his serve wasn't dominant enough (but he isn't a great server anyways). Tsonga just flat-out dominated a guy playing great.

If Fed gets through to the final, I think he will need to raise his game to beat Tsonga. Tsonga is playing his best tennis right now, and Federer will need to play some of his best to beat him.

I think no way he'll fade in the final vs Fed. He'll play his best tennis and be mentally strong. I predict a very good match (if Federer gets to the final, which is very very likely). I think it'll be a 5-set match. If Djoko makes it though, I think he might get destroyed.

 

[stormholloway]

There are like a dozen threads on this. Just add to those.

 

[dh003i]

another note, Moose said that if Fed wins this by beating Djoko then Nadal, that'd be his most impressive GS yet. And that would've been true. But I think now, if Fed wins by beating Djoko then Tsonga playing like he played against Nadal, that'll be even more impressive; although, unfortunately, history won't remember it as well.

 

[stormholloway]

The thing is, Nadal's style of play gives Federer more trouble than Tsonga's, generally speaking.

That said, if Tsonga plays in the final like he did in the semi, I'll take Tsonga in 5. Federer isn't playing his best tennis yet.

 

[dh003i]

I think Fed was getting there against Blake (to his best tennis). I still think this is Fed's to win. I wouldn't say that Nadal's style of play gives Fed more trouble than Tsonga. He's never played Tsonga. And Tsonga is playing, really, kinda like Federer, but coming to the net more (wish Fed would do that).

I think that Federer will have less problems with Tsonga than Nadal did. Tsonga is an even worse match-up for Nadal than Youzny.

But I think that beating Nadal at the AO final would have been easier for Federer than beating Tsonga. Tsonga just has more game at the AO.