So Nadal quite surprisingly managed to beat Nieminen in straight sets :rolleyes: And now the women's match has finished (I actually thought that might last a bit longer :blink: ) we have Youzhny vs. Tsonga.

Come on Youzhny!!!!! :clap:

Tsonga breaks Youzhny to win the first set 7-5 :blink:

Floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee! ;)

Ali Tsonga looking good so far!

come on Misha - wake up!!!!! :angry:

Pondering a BBC conversation...

So, Mr Lloyd - can we say that if Tsonga gets to the final...that in effect, Andy Murray was an Australian Open semi-finalist??

(just kidding ;) )

or not? instead, why don't you get broken again!!! :angry:

honestly, i think the tennis world is conspiring to make sure i get absolutely no points in the predictions contest today :shrug:

I do like the fact that every time they mention Tsonga on the Beeb they insist on mentioning that he beat Murray in the first round - even when they just post a picture of him :doh:

:blink: Well Tsonga just keeps going! A break up in the second on Youzhny and although this match is far from over, he's looking good. The strangest thing is, I didn't think he was all that impressive against Murray or Gasquet and while I've not seen Youzhny's matches, you'd think he'd have to be on fire to deal out such maulings to Karlovic and No Weapons.

Still, allez Jo-Wilfried! He'd have a great chance of beating Nadal in the SF, but not as great as Youzhny... and Nadal is by far the most likely of these three to provide a competitive final.

Seriously, this could be the new Cincinnati for the BBC - redemption for 'early heartache' for the 'valiant Andy' :doh:

yeah, they'd love it "Murray, who lost in the first round of the Australian Open to eventual semi-finalist/finalist(delete as applicable) Tsonga"...... :blah:

:lol: And Murray managed to bagel him in the set he won! Clearly if Murray hadn't come "heart-breakingly close" to winning the fourth set tiebreak, he'd be in a position to smash Nadal and Federer/Djokovic aside for his maiden Slam, going on to win 20 in an illustrious career.

oh FFS sake misha!!!! :moody:

If Tsonga goes through to SF (highly likely) and even the Final, I am 100% convinced we will hear the above paraphrased in some form!! 100% convinced.

Misha heading towards a bagel :doh:

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

Definitely. It won't be "crashed out" or even "lost to" anymore, I'm thinking "edged out by", with particularly cunning journos managing to mention the bagel as well.

Elsewhere, Tsonga is effectively two sets up, so if Youzhny does fight back and win in 5, Nadal will have the advantage in the SF. Allez Tsonga! :clap:

"Attention! Un francais peut en cacher un autre! " That coudl be the title for L'equipe.

Tsonga is playing without being stretched. If his nerves hold he definetley has a chance versus Nadal!!

I'm watching the match on Eurosport at the moment and Youzhny just doesn't have a clue on how to handle Tsonga at the moment. I've got to hand it to Tsonga: he's been playing very calmly and hasn't been taking unnecessary risks whlist making a few very impressive defensive shots.

If he plays like this he will have a chance against Nadal, because his shots seem to have a lot of punch on this court, staying low and fast. I just hope he's not going to implode at the first sign of trouble.

Yes I second that Scvan. There is a bit of Safin in Tsonga's game.

Tsonga bagels Misha......*swears violently.....* :angry3:

John L: Given that Murray took a set off Tsonga, could we actually say he's actually the greatest quarter-finalist here. Perhaps there is a way the ATP can inflate Murrays ranking to reflect this?

And back to the match...

Baked goods served and delivered - I for one didn't see this coming, and had already started musing a Youzhny vs Nadal match up. I'll be interested to see the highlights on this.

:lmaao: :lmaao: :lmaao:

Tsonga looks hot. His game definitely has the chance to threaten Nadal on this surface and dare I say it.... perhaps Fed and Djoko too???

Tsonga looks pretty passive at times. Not sure he can afford that for teh rest of the tournament.

That's true. Consistency is very important at the business end of a GS.

C'mon TSONGA! at least give me one correct prediction :lol:

Seriously, he's playing great and he throughly deserves this if he wins it. :ok: Great to see attacking play and great shotmaking. I hope he can keep this up if he gets to the next round.

Btw I did not think Rafa beating Jarkko in straight sets was acedmic at all. Jarkko is consitent and solid and he's taken sets off Rafa before I think. Shame he didn't take one today.

I don't agree - he looks quite attackign to me :shrug: Certainly moving in and closing at the net rather effectively, unlike some.

Tsonga can certainly attack SB but on many occasions in the 3rd set he has been passive and waited for oushny to take the risk first.

The commentator on Eurosport said, after his first point at 5 all 15/0, that he had to become agressive again if he wanted to close the match.

Fair play. :) I think he is naturally an attacker and shot maker, but obviously he can't dothat all the time so maybe he is trying to vary it and practice his defence and counterpunching skills as well :shrug: He is a player who has days of brillance and days of horrific errors so I would imagine his coach would have advised him to work on this side of things as well to improve his consitency. If he can I certainyl think he's got the weapons and attitude to progress higher up the rankings. What do you think?

He si probably right - ignore me I know jack Tenez! :D When you are 2 set sup and closing out a set I guess you can afford to gamble a bit and you should certainly add pressure and attack. I just thought that in general he had been attacking. I guess experince and nerves are comign into play now, Tsonga is perhaps seeign the winnign post in sight and choking a littel or tryign to ensure he doesn't blow it. I think he's pretty raw on tactics and needs to polish up a little.

This tie break is going to give us clues about Tsonga capability to play the important points!

Well so far so good, and I love the way eh si so pumped up!

Yes! Great set point saved!

yeah WOW!
Well I think this is a terrific tie break, credit to both players :ok:

well done to Tsonga :clap:

but Youzhny....... :kpow2:

Well done Tsonga :clap: I'm a fan of Youzhny but found myself willing Tsonga on then at the end. Well played, he deserves the win considering the people he has taken out this year.

Rafa must be on top of his game in the semi's if he is to beat Tsonga.
I look forward to that one.

Ha!! That's for all of you Youzny lovers!

Youzny is a journeyman, Tsonga is a future great player. I've said that consistently since I saw him at Wimbledon last July - and was not surprised when he beat Murray.

He might not win the Aussie Open, but we will be hearing much more of him in years to come - and not Youzny.

Plus, he's a real showman as well.

Sorry Jo :(

I fancied TSonga to win, not sure why. And it is good to see a reall good exciting new player come through. I liek his style, such variety. Nice personality too. I feel sorry for Youzhny though, never expected him to get a bagel :yikes: I had hoped for 4 or 5 sets though. Tsonga has beaten some quality opponents, and I guess that justifies Murray's early exit now. I'd have prefered Youzhny in the final 4 rather than Nadal. I hope Tsonga well, can take out Nadal, I really do!

Well played Jo! I really think he has a chance v Nadal. It will depend of course of his form on the day but also how smart he can play.

My advice would be not to go for broke as easy mistakes will grip in and doubt in his mind could settle. A secure right / left right should tire Nadal down and give him an easier chance.

I hope they'll play in the night session!

Yep, Tsonga is the deserved star of the tournie so far. I expect he will have a good match with Nadal, I hope he wins :ok: A dangerous youngster with nothing to lose coudl be more of a threat to the likes of Federer in the final than hsi familiar opponent.