Tsonga looking dangerous

Time to dine out French style and 7th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga had his countryman Michael Llodra to afternoon snacks over a bottle of red. Predominantly a doubles success story Llodra late in his career has decided to improve his singles standing and currently sits at 52 in the world. Th left hander constantly provides nuisance value to the top players, defeating them on occasion to cause the most angst. Jo-Wilfried has been a finalist here but that entry on the CV is beginning to wear somewhat thin as it takes on a five year anniversary.

Still Grand Slam tournament credentials are all over the CV and Tsonga started a warm favourite both with the bookies and with the crowd to advance his cause beyond the first round.

Serve volleying in singles is a lost art and thankfully with Llodra we could witness a battle of two styles. The volley made itself available a couple of times in game one to assist Michael take the initial lead. Tsonga's reply to level featured a wonderful backhand up the line pass.

The tennis was high standard and each held serve until 4-4 where Jo-Wilfried upped the ante and forced the break. Not simply, but with conviction the French player served out the set 6-4

Players continued to be strong on serve and Llodra blocked out the disappointment of the first set loss with the latest sunscreen to lead 2-1. Tsonga quickly made it two each and his propensity to fire winners and throw down unreturnable serves frustrated Llodra to a greater degree than the opening set. As yet no break points had been earned othe Taonga serve - if it hadn't been the quality of Llodra's game Tsonga may well have had two sets in his kick.

The eighth game provided the first break points on Tsonga's serve just to throw that statistic back in my face - he still handled the crisis with poise and proceeded to repeat the 4-4 of set one. Llodra made damn sure that the ninth game of set one did not come back to haunt him as he held firm to lead 5-4. The disappointment was only deferred two games though as Tsonga made Llodra pay for some sloppiness and serve for a two set lead at 6-5.

6-4 7-5 and Llodra in need of something special, a miracle quite acceptable.

After the third game of Set 3 it looked like a miracle and more were required as Jo-Wilfried applied the screws to his once mate. Breaking for 2-1 and swiftly cementing that with a service hold and Tsonga had cleared off.

Another two games were shared and if the fate of this match had not already been prepared for the media Llodra made certain by again failing from the line.

5-2 and Tsonga could serve for the second round.

Not a problem for the seventh seed who gave as polished a display as any so far, not that there have been that many witnessed yet. 6-4 7-5 6-2
Jo-Wilfried is seeded to meet Federer in the quarters and I cannot see a reason for that not occurring or for Roger not to be concerned about the possibility.