Ive never seen Tsonga play before today so i have no idea of his mental prowess, although his physical game seems something to behold. What do you guys who know his game better think will happen in the final?

As much as I 'd like to, I do not see him win the tournament. The other 2 are hard court specialists and will tire him like Nadal could not. He will over attack in the final and the maistakes will creep in! :shrug: Sad really but I think it's doomed!

He will hold his neve but be outplayed by Federer (who has too much for Djoko).

Agreed - don't see him choking, but don't see him beating either Federer or Djokovic (I think it's closer between those two), who are both far more formidable prospects on hard courts than Nadal.

Id agree , Federer will just lift his game when he has to .

What impressed me the most today was his attitude. Rafa might as well have given him footballs to hit the way he read his game, but he seemed so cool mentally also. I think it maybe close if Fed and Djoko have a tough match

My thoughts on the final:

vs. Fed: he's going to have difficulty returning the first serve, isn't going to get too many 2nd serves to the FH, but will have to to dare to be agressive with the BH. I did think Nadal was going to the FH a bit too much today. Fed's balls will stay lower, but he'll be able to attack the Fed BH with his FH. He's also going to have to count on more 1st serves coming back low. Fed could very well wear him down. He'd better win quickly. Bottom line: very difficult for Tsonga, but Fed has been a little bit too passive during this tournament, this could work to Tsonga's advantage.

vs. Djokovic: Djoko has bigger first serves, less accuracy, perhaps more chances for Tsonga on the second serve. Djoko has a better rounded game from the baseline, but uses less variation. He's going to have to find a good balance between patience and guts, because Djoko is better at going from defence to offence than Nadal. Djokop does have trouble finishing points from time to time. Bottom line: both players could win their 1st GS, Djoko has the experience, but Tsonga has better variation. Nerves will decide the outcome.

I think a lot of folks have overlooked his attitude, but then hsi play was so breathtaking, it overshadowed everything including Nadal who was exposed as weaponless today. But hsi mental attitude was amazing, he kept his cool and looked liek a seasoned GS semi final regular. He never once looked like choking, and he kept up his intensity and consistency. Now that is some achievement, and morseo against a player like Nadal, he never allowed Nadal to bully him or use psychological tactics and if he can crush a player like Nadal who does tend to imtimidate opponets, then you can crush anyone. Let's not forget what he did to the original fighter Hewitt at Queens.

A final is a bigger occassion than a semi, and if Federer is there he is a bigger opponent than Nadal IMO on hard. I do not however think the occassion will get to him at all, he will enjoy and has nothing to lose. Federer however is the worry, bu tif he can go for his shots and assuming they come off like today then he has a chance. Fed has had a ropey week, sure he can pull otu the best on big occassions, but he will have to pull it out becuase if he doesn't and Tsonga plays as wel as today Fed coudl be dead meat. I hope both players give us their best tennsi and have a great match anyway. :ok:

He clearly has the mental strength for the final and future tournments. I am only concerned about possible injuries. He has a big frame and we know they don't fare well on a tennis court nowadays. As long as he can play within himself and not over do it, he should be fine for the rest of his career but fitness at this level is never a certainty. Does anyone remember Monfils?

Oh I forgot to add - if Tsonga were to play Djokovic -

Tricky one. No idea because Djokovic unlike Nadal can as someone has said turn defence into attack very easily. He hits some blistering forehands down the lines and could pass Tsonga at the net unless Tsonga is razor sharp on hsi volleys and tactics. However Djoko for me lacks the variety of Tsonga, he needs to add to hsi game to make it more complete. And although he's improved in the last year or so, he is still prone to meltdowns and panicing when he's down. He also has a much better serve than Nadal though. Tsonga's best game is when he takes risks, so I think the match woudl eb won or lost on whether or not Tsonga is agressive enough and it pays off consitency wise. But that si basing ti on havign seen Tsonga play hsi best and Djoko his best. Either play might come out flat. and it will be a whitewash. I think nerves and mental strength are going to play a huge part.

Yes, you are right. I suppose we will just have to see, I know Tsonga had injuries alread. I do remember Monfils indeed, I was thinking of him because he was a promising French juniour who blasted onto the scene and went for it, then look what happened. From what I have seen though I have been much more impressed by Tsonga's play and attitude than Monfils's.

I agree about Tsonga's mental fortitude. Monfils is/was in the line of flaky French players :( .

From the BBC (written by Piers Newbury....)

Nadal looked confused, bewildered and, at times, just plain angry.

There can rarely have been a more comprehensive dismantling of a world number two's game than the one Jo-Wilfried Tsonga handed Nadal on Thursday.

He made the three-time French Open champion look one dimensional, under-powered and half-a-step slow - impossible accusations until now.

Ranked 38 in the world, the 22-year-old Frenchman won 6-2 6-3 6-2 to reach a maiden Grand Slam final that no-one, not even he, can possibly have imagined when he beat Andy Murray in round one 10 days ago.

"Wherever Andy is watching this, he must be feeling pretty good at the moment," said BBC Sport commentator Sam Smith.

"Good" might be stretching it, but the British number one's first-round defeat can now be viewed in a very different light.

Tsonga's often remarked upon resemblance to Muhammad Ali is taking on a new dimension as, increasingly confident, he swaggers around the court and works the crowd like the great man himself.

But it is his game that has really taken the tennis world by storm and of all the comparisons that have been flying around, Pete Sampras is the name that sticks out.

The American's game was built on a fearsome serve, huge forehand, instinctive volleys and athleticism around the net - the very things that have carried Tsonga so far in Melbourne.

Add to that an apparent invulnerability to nerves and you have a pretty daunting prospect for either Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic in Sunday's final.

The smart money says it will be Federer and that the Swiss will find a way to win - he always does - but Tsonga will pose an unfamiliar challenge in a world of baseliners.

If it is to be Federer he at least has recent experience of facing the man who laid down the blueprint for Tsonga, having taken on Sampras in three exhibition matches at the end of last year.

Of course the bad news for the world number one is that he lost the last of those matches - and Sampras is 14 years older than Tsonga.

You will not find this writer backing against Federer just yet, but if the Frenchman were to take the title it would complete surely the most remarkable story in a men's Grand Slam since Becker won Wimbledon in 1985, or Goran in 2001.

Ali once said he was going to "shock the world". In his own way, Tsonga is doing just that.

Your thoughts please...

Laurie wrote that, isn't it? ;)

You see? There's the M-word again... :yawn:

gotta feel sorry for Gasquet really - all those years being called the next federer (or mini-fed as I heard him called the other day). One tournament and suddenly Tsonga is being compared to Sampras...... :unsure:

I'm actually surprised the Beeb hasn't tried to persuade us that Murray is the de facto world number 2 - as he took a set off Tsonga and Nadal didn't :P

Interesting interview from Rafter who talks about the difference in todays game with his time.

Q. What do you make of Lleyton this year?

PATRICK RAFTER: Lleyton did well. The lead‑up tournaments probably weren't as probably ‑‑ he's had a lot better lead‑up tournaments. There are some changes that I've seen taking place in his game. This is, again, just my personal view. But he was going for his backhand down the line, he was aggressive with his forehand, he was coming to the net.

He's starting to really take on what Rochey is telling him. It's not that the other guys haven't told him that before, it's just now come to the point where he's going, I have to do it to make that change and he's doing it, and I think it's really encouraging.


Q. Is it realistic to think he's going to be top 10 again?

PATRICK RAFTER: I think he'll be top 10. He's got to work hard too, and Rochey won't accept anything but hard work. I think he can be back in the top 10.


Q. Can he win another Grand Slam?

PATRICK RAFTER: I think Wimbledon is his one. I think that's his best chance. The game has changed so much since I played. And his technique, he's a very flat hitter of the ball and the spin now generated by the new strings is ‑‑ doesn't really suit his type of game as it would someone like Nadal.

So I think the French Open ‑‑ I mean Wimbledon is his chance, and I think he can.


Q. What else has changed about the game?

PATRICK RAFTER: I think everyone is great athletes now, too. There was a time when you would look and say, I reckon I can beat him athletically, but not now. You got to be a great athlete.


Q. Do you ever look back and breathe a sigh of relief that Roger isn't...

PATRICK RAFTER: Roger was still in his nappies when I was playing him. It was great. He wants me to come back so he can beat me.


Q. Have you watched Tsonga, and what do you think about his game?

PATRICK RAFTER: I saw him play against Gasquet, and I just loved the way he changed the pace of the ball up. He did a lot of slow sort of looping balls. I thought he could play from all court: Baseline, at the net, big serve, big athlete, big kid.

But no one these days ‑‑ you never see anyone change the pace of the game up. No one does the slice backhands or the loopy stuff anymore and he does that, and he does that. It's just really nice. Not so much the slice backhand, but he does the loopy stuff and just throws the guys junk every now and then. I think it's really good.


Q. How do you explain some underdogs come through more at the Australian Open than other Grand Slams? Like Clement, Tsonga?

PATRICK RAFTER: I think it's hard to prepare for this tournament. You don't come off any tournaments. You know, you get a couple tournaments, but it's not enough to get you sort of in the momentum of it.

I always played better when I led up to ‑‑ played a few tournaments before the French Open and obviously the French never was really that kind to me. But then worked all the way through to the U.S. summer, and that's when I started playing well. When I had lots and lots of matches and lots of training.

You generally come off Christmas here and probably a little bit fat. Had a bit more of a good time. Some people it works and some it doesn't.


Q. How do you rate Novak Djokovic's chances?

PATRICK RAFTER: Really good. I think he's a great player. I say he'll be a No. 1 player at some stage in his career. I've seen Federer play better, but these courts are probably not suiting him quite so much. I think they're probably a fraction slower than they have been. That's just by looking. I haven't played on it so I don't know.

I just don't know how well Roger is playing just yet. But he's such a great champion. You'd probably still put your money on Roger to win, but I think Djokovic has a really good chance.


Q. What do you like about his game the best?

PATRICK RAFTER: He's got a big serve, great returns, you know, that sort of thing. Just great from the ground, great athlete, like all of them are now. I don't see a lot of weaknesses in his game. I wouldn't like to play him.


Q. Is the gap closing between Roger and the others?

PATRICK RAFTER: I think everyone has got to come to a time when things start closing up. But I don't know. Yeah, maybe. I don't know. You know, I think Roger will probably start doing really well again around ‑‑ I think he's always ‑‑ Roger plays very well on all surfaces, and that's the great thing about his game.

But to me his strength lies from Wimbledon all the way through to the US Open. In saying that, I'd love to see him in the French Open. He's been so close so many times.


Q. Nappies or not you've beaten him three times. What advice would you give someone trying to...

PATRICK RAFTER: Oh, his game's changed completely since I played him. It's a different game, different player.


Q. He's lost a few games lately. What do people have to do to beat him?

PATRICK RAFTER: Where did he lose?


Q. Twice to Nalbandian.

PATRICK RAFTER: Oh, okay. End of the year is always a hard one as well to be up for, as well. I don't know. I don't know. I couldn't give anyone advice on how to beat Roger.


Q. Did you still play at all? We saw Pete come back and play against Roger last year.

PATRICK RAFTER: There was a couple years there where I tried to play for a bit of fun in America. But since then I only hit a couple balls last year for a little bit. This year I hope to play with some young kids. We're going to get a couple of squads to come up to Queensland and I'm going to hit with them, so that should be really fun. I do really enjoy hitting for a week every now and then.


Q. Did you ever go through a spell like Pete did where you don't want to know about tennis?

PATRICK RAFTER: The first couple years, definitely. It was sort of uncomfortable. I didn't know whether to watch it or not watch it. When I watched it I sort of felt uncomfortable. I sort of wanted to be there, but that wore off pretty quick.


Q. Are we going to see you on the oldies tour?

PATRICK RAFTER: Yeah, I keep threatening. I don't know why. It sort of seems like fun at the time saying yes, but when I start hitting balls I go, What am I doing? It's hard work.

You want to sort of play okay, and the shoulder is still not really good. I might have a bit of a hit and a giggle.


Q. Do you have any involvement in Australian tennis beyond hitting with a squad like that, like Davis Cup captain? Does that appeal? Is there something down the track that you'd liked to do?

PATRICK RAFTER: No. That doesn't appeal. I don't want to travel. Every now and then traveling is fun, but not too much. Davis Cup, that sort of position, that's what it requires.


Q. Did you say you've seen young Kubler?

PATRICK RAFTER: Yeah, I was really impressed with his game. I thought he had ‑‑ his groundstrokes were great and he had a really good serve that I think he could build on. He's only 14 and he's really young, so a lot has to happen yet.


Q. You were a great serve and volleyer in your time. Do you think there's still room in tennis for that?

PATRICK RAFTER: Yeah, I do. I'd love so see that. I think it's just fun to see the contrast of someone coming to the net and doing it. But I watch a little bit now and I see the way they pass. I don't have if it's the string or what it is, but it just seems ridiculous on how they can pass you now at the net.

I don't know. I mean, was just someone that fed a lot of people junk, as well. I didn't mean to, but that's just how I played. A lot of people didn't like it. I think there's always room for that as well, to slice and dink 'em around and slow balls.

Felix Mantilla had the best comment when I played him once. He said, My grandmother hits the ball harder than him. I know. I try to hit the ball harder, but I can't. I think there's room for that type of game, as well. It's hard to generate pace off a ball that has nothing on it.

So yeah, I think that serve and volley has a place. Just frustrates people.

Monfils has had injury problems over last 12-18 months. He's a different sort of player to Tsonga - better on clay and slower hardcourts than he is on fast courts.

People write off Gasquet as a failure. But although he is underachieving, he is nevertheless a player who wins smaller tournaments and generally living up to his seeding at larger tournaments. Versatile on all surfaces, he'll get plenty of chances to fulfill his potential, *but* needs to be pushed hard by a slave-driver type coach.

thanks for the commentaries everyone. :clap:

I have to say that having not seen any matches with Tsonga, i just think that a player that has destroyed the world no.2 and has handed out numerous upsets recetnly, his confidence has to be sky high,,,,,

I reckon a win is not out of the question here at all.

:ok:

Tsonga's pre-match interview, it did make me :giggle: in places:

Q. Have you gotten Nadal out of your mind by this time and moved on mentally?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, I think at the final, yeah. It's finished now.


Q. Did you watch last evening?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah.


Q. Did you watch the whole match or just a little bit?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah.


Q. What are your thoughts on Djokovic being there tomorrow against you?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: I don't know. He won yesterday. He played well. It's never easy to beat Federer. We will play tomorrow at the final, and it's going to be a big moment of sports.


Q. What are the main differences between facing Nadal and facing Djokovic?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: It's the same, no? It's the same, because Nadal is 2 in the world and Djokovic 3, so both of them won a lot of tournaments and they have more experience than me.

I know it's going to be difficult, but I'm here and ready for that.


Q. Do you feel any differently now than you did before the first round playing Andy Murray? Are your nerves any different? Is your concentration any different? Is your composure any different?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: No. I try to keep the same way. I try to approach this match like the other one.


Q. Have you had much of a chance to see any of Melbourne or do any sightseeing? What's your opinion of Melbourne?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: My opinion of Melbourne? It's a nice city. I feel great here. I have a lot of good things in my head here. I'm happy to be here.


Q. Have your parents arrived yet?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: They arrive Sunday at the morning, tomorrow morning.


Q. Can we go back to that week at Surbiton just before Queens which your coach says was such a big changing week for you when you had to play the challenger tournament and get across and play qualifying as well. What do you remember about that week?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: About this week?


Q. No, at Surbiton.

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: When I played the challengers?


Q. Yeah.

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: It was not very different. It's all ‑‑ it's you. You're here, and when I played challenger it was not. So there is no difference play a final in challenger or here for me. I try to be the same.


Q. But that same week was the big week of Roland Garros and you were in a different country at a small little tournament. What did you feel like? Were you determined to maybe next year at the same time be at Roland Garros rather than Surbiton?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yes, it was special for me, because of course Roland Garros is big event for me and for all French guys.

I was sad to ‑‑ of this situation. But now I'm here and maybe I will be seeded this year, so it was a good choice for me.


Q. It's Australia Day today. Do you plan to do anything typically Australian: Have a beer, go to a barbeque?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: No, no, no.


Q. Since your semifinal win how have you stayed relaxed and stayed calm?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Just stay in my room at the hotel, practice, and that's it.


Q. You try not to think about all the media and the different things that people want from you now that you've reached the final?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: No, no, I don't think about it. It's normal. You have to write on me, and I know my life so I don't have to read it in the paper.


Q. What movies do you watch or music do you listen to to relax in your hotel?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Everything.


Q. What in particular?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Everything. I won't say something in particular.


Q. You seemed to enjoy the atmosphere the other night in the semifinal. Does a big crowd help your game a lot?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah. It help me because I like that and I'm good ‑‑ I feel good in this atmosphere.

Yeah, it does for me.


Q. Do you find it surprising how much the crowd got behind you the other night in the match?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Not really, because all match before the people was clapping for me. So, no, I was not surprised.


Q. And it helps you improve your game, to take it to another level, playing in front of such a...

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, I think.


Q. Do you feel that your life has changed in this last fortnight, the expectation on you and what you have achieved?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yes, of course, a little bit. It's not a chance for everyone to be in final at the Australian Open, so of course it change a little bit.

But me, I try to stay the same person.


Q. Do you have any sense of how France is reacting? I understand that in Belgrade they're going crazy. Are you getting any feedback that the French public are really into what's happening here?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, of course, of course. I'm just proud of that.


Q. Why have you played so well this tournament?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Why?


Q. Yeah, why? Clearly this is your best tournament. What's been the secret?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: I don't know. Because maybe I don't want to play bad.


Q. What happened last year?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Last year was different. It was a different year. It was my first year on the tour. This year's my second and I have more experience and, yeah, so I play better.


Q. Your nickname is Ali, and people liken you in looks to him. Have you ever watched any videos of his fights or have you watched any movies about him? Is it an ambition of yours maybe to meet him?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, of course, I watch some DVDs. My father was at the fight at Kinshasa because he's from Brazzaville. He took some photos, so I have some souvenir.


Q. So he's been an inspiration to you since you were a child?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: No, no, no. Maybe more now than when I was child.


Q. Can you believe you've made the final of a Grand Slam so quickly in just your second year on the tour?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: No, I not believe it, but I'm here and I have to do it.


Q. What do you have to do to win tomorrow night?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Just play ‑‑ just do my best, and that's it. I will see what's happened on the court, but I will do my best. If I win, that's unbelievable. And if I lose, I did my best, so no problem.


Q. Sorry to get back on Muhammad Ali. But say in your words why Ali is an inspiration to you now.

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Maybe his personality on the court. Maybe I think I have the same tennis as his box.

he handled the semi beautifully. i know it's different in the final but i'm a believer. i think he can handle it.

He can handle the final. I don't think we will see much nerves from his part and that's great. But the rhythm will be pacier than with nadal and that I am not sure he can handle. I actually doubt it very much but I 'd love to be wrong!

Screexch aLL THE AYUW! bLESS HIN

As I said, I would have loved to be wrong but he is already tired! he is too big a built!