2013 French Open SF: Tsonga vs. Ferrer

[Riotbeard]

I think Ferrer in 4. Better clay courter and has been great all tournament. It will make for a boring final most likely.

 

[kskate2]

Sticking w/ my original pick when Fed was struggling w/ Simon. Jo all the way to the finals, 4 or 5 sets

 

[Asmodeus]

Tsonga in four. Why? Because he has the hot racket.

Also, I don't want to see Ferrer thrashed in the final.

 

[SF Nadalite]

This should be an amazing match-up. I think Ferrer would be the least influenced by the crowd cheering against him. Tsonga has started off slowly...Federer basically handed him the first set.

I think the conditions will make it closer. Ferrer does have the ability to return and retrieve probably as well as anyone in the game...which should frustrate Tsonga.

As a true-blue (or perhaps red) fan, i obviously would pull for the Ferrer match-up...but would be lying if I said i didn't expect to see Jo-Willy there on sunday

 

[Moxie]

Just saw an interview with Ferrer on TC. He says his game plan is to try to read Tsonga's serve, try to find his BH, try to hit his own FH well, and to try to play a long match. That sounds about right from David. Interesting he even admits he needs a long match, which I think he does.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

These 2 players havent dropped a set on their way to the s/finals.Tsonga will have crowd support of course.I feel David is the better clay
court player and will pick him to win in to win in 4 sets or maybe 5 sets.

 

[crystalfire]

i think tsonga will win this due to crowd support and confidence from beating fed. im praying ferrer does not win (not because i hate him or anything, as a matter of fact I have utmost respect for his game and work ethic) because then the final will be a blowout. im pretty sure either djoker or rafa will blow him away and it will totally be a one sided final. dont get me wrong he totally deserves to be in a final but i just want a competetive final and i dont think he will provide one.

 

[Mog]

Ferret is a very likeable guy. He has worked very hard to reach his recent level. He is very fit and will not mind going 5 sets and 5 hours. He can frustrate Tsonga with sending every ball back. Tsonga has to serve big and shorten the points if he wants to win. It will depend also on which Tsonga shows up, though he has improved these days.
I think Tsonga can win. He will make final very enjoyable. ferrer-Nadal final will be very uninteresting and predictable.

 

[Mastoor]

I have no idea who wins, I just want to say I am glad these two made to the semi. Tsonga will obviously have the crowd on his side and that may prevail.

 

[tented]

can anyone think of anything more recent than '10 RG? Robin actually made it happen twice in a row. would've thought it'd been longer than that, tbh.

No, that is the most recent one. It seems longer than that, but it is not, and in fact the Big 4 domination didn't really took off entirely only in 2011.
In 2010, there were still more in-rooads made by others. And I can call now that their domination is basically run it's course and is coming to an end. And not only just because today's loss by Roger, look at the masters, how many "other" guys are in F, SF.

I mean their domination was never going to last forever, but name me someone outside the top 4 you'd honestly bank on to win a slam soon.

---

By the way, can someone tell commentators that his name is TSONGA, not ZONGA (the Australian commentators pronounce it like that, and I have no idea why they think the "T" is silent, or why the "S" transforms into a "Z"). Seriously, is it too much to ask that commentator's get players' names right? For example: It's Berd-itch, not Berd-ick.

---

On ESPN, the Australian Darren Cahill pronounces it: Song-ger

 

[tented]

This could go either way, really, but I think the crowd will help to push Tsonga (already bursting with confidence after beating Fed in straight sets) to the victory. I voted Tsonga in 4.

 

[Front242]

Hoping Tsonga for all the reasons many have cited, namely a way more exciting final. But it largely depends on whether Tsonga serves well or Ferrer manages to do much in his return games. If it does turn out to be a long match Tsonga may tire. He had nothing left at all in the fifth set against Djokovic last year. Maybe the crowd support will help fight the fatigue with the adrenaline factor. Wouldn't be surprised who won but I'm thinking Ferrer will seize his opportunity to make his first RG final. Hope I'm wrong though as it wouldn't make for great viewing in the final. Let's see, a guy grinding long rallies for hours or a guy blasting big serves and winners left right and centre (Tsonga). I sure know which final I'd prefer to watch.

 

[shawnbm]

Before the tournament I would have picked the Spaniard to play to his ranking and win. After watching Tsonga this fortnight, I pick him to win in 4 tights sets and go to an historic final in Paris.

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

^before the tournament, i would've picked Tsonga to be out before the quarters. loving his run. i just so really, really, really want for him to finally fulfill at least some of his potential.

 

[Denis]

^before the tournament, i would've picked Tsonga to be out before the quarters. loving his run. i just so really, really, really want for him to finally fulfill at least some of his potential.

In the tennis channel draw challenge I picked a Djokovic - Tsonga final. I thought Tsonga would do well (although I didn't expect a straight sets win over Federer). He played really well in Madrid and reached the semis at MC. Plus I expected the new coach thing to kick in at a certain point. He also lost weight and is much more focussed.

 

[Ricardo]

It would be a great story if Tsonga can win his home slam, which hasn't been done in 30 years.

 

[isabelle]

I like both of them but I guess Ferrer will win
If Tsonga reaches final, all France will celebrate

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

RG radio commentators musing about the effects of the first match on the second. Ferrer feeling a DC-like pump if Nadal takes it, or Tsonga seeing a bigger chance if Novak makes it. must say that i agree. i'd also see Tsonga more confident against Novak (well, now even more, of course), but i don't exactly know why. maybe because he's already been in a final with Novak (so less news), and it'd be the first RG for Nole as well? don't know, but on gut feeling, i would have agreed.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Tough act to follow for sure. But David quickly up a break . The dynamics of this one might have changed a bit after knowing who is waiting for the winner on Sunday. I mean, they will still compete to death but you know...Rafa is waiting for you to defend yet another title.

David gets another break.

 

[britbox]

If Ferrer makes the final they might as well halve the viewing figures. Foregone conclusion.