2019 Wimbledon - 3rd Round Nadal d Tsonga

After 12 matches between the two, Day Six at Wimbledon 2019 was the first time third seed Rafa Nadal would clash with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga since the 2015 Shanghai Masters 1000. That was the fourth success Tsonga has had over Nadal, and history tells us that on most occasions, the pair have met in big tournaments - six Masters 1000 events, the 2011 ATP Finals, and two majors. This is the third major, following the 2007 US Open and 2008 Australian Open. So the pair had a long association to reignite.

Nadal served first, and for the opening three games, serve was king. Nadal delivered two aces in his first visit to the line, and lobbed Tsonga beautifully to take the first point in the Frenchman’s first service game. Tsonga simply replied with a smart backhand volley, a forehand cross court winner, a service winner, and an ace. 

At 1-2, Tsonga led 30-15 before Nadal’s backhand down the line drew an error, a backhand ripped return also brought trouble, and on break point Tsonga pushed a forehand fractionally wide. Nadal led 3-1.

A love game,followed and Tsonga also looked strong on serve, quickly to 40-0. Nadal halted the run, finding space for a sizzling backhand down the line winner. Tsonga then couldn’t handle a volley and it was 40-30. An ace relieved the situation and Nadal strolled to the line with a 4-2 advantage.

An ace and an overhead winner featured in a game taking the third seed to within one of the set. Serving at 2-5, Tsonga came back from 0-30 to have a game point. However, a brilliant Nadal forehand winner brought it to deuce. Set point arrived after a double fault. A wonderful forehand sealed the set for the Spaniard 6-2.

Three love games on serve began the second set, and games four and five surrendered just one point each to the receiver.

At 2-3, Tsonga faced the first break point of the set. It was saved when Nadal hit the net with a return on a second serve. A second break chance came once a Tsonga backhand sailed wide. A double fault confirmed the break and a 4-2 Nadal lead.

Nadal consolidated the break for the loss of a single point, and then Tsonga had a struggle to stay in the set. Nadal was playing great tennis, and had set point when Tsonga missed with a forehand. It was saved with a terrific drop shot lob combination. Two game points came and went before another set point arrived. This too was negotiated successfully, and Tsonga proceeded to hold serve.

Nadal served at 5-3, and wasted no time in clinching the set 6-3, a backhand down the line winner, an ace, and a forehand cross court winner on display.

Tsonga started set three with a love game on serve, but that’s where the good news ended. Nadal won five games straight, breaking Tsonga twice, and having no trouble himself on serve, the closest maybe in the sixth game where he let a 40-0 lead slip, and was taken to deuce.

At 1-5, Tsonga saved three match points and forced Nadal to serve it out.

As per the second set, Nadal dutifully delivered a love game to take the match 6-2 6-3 6-2 in probably his most complete performance of the tournament, albeit with lesser opposition than he had with Kyrgios.