Winning mettle stands firm

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer drew from their experience and class to get through their tough quarter-final clashes.

The Parisian crowd was made to wait before seeing the best of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer today in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros. Both players were on the brink of exiting the competition, but were each able to live up to the expectations and overhaul their results. They will now meet each other in the first of the semi-finals in the clay court Grand Slam.

Novak Djokovic, the world no. 1, had to fight it out against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who was armed with the support of the local crowd, and got off to a good start by taking the opening set 6-1. Tsonga reacted well though, winning the next two 5-7, 5-7. The Frenchman had four match balls to kill the tie off in the fourth set but was unable to take advantage of any of them. With the score reading 4-5 in his favour, the home player took a 15-40 lead, however, Djokovic came back to win the game. He was eventually punished for his missed opportunity two games later (at 5-6), when he lost a very tight tie-break (8-6) to level the score. Tsonga looked deflated in the final set as the Serb marched to a victory 6-1, securing his semi-final place.

Roger Federer started the other of the day’s matches with a mountain to climb after losing the first two sets 3-6, 6-7 against Juan Martín del Potro. The Swiss reacted strongly though, not taking his foot off the gas once and romping to the semi-finals by winning the following three sets 6-2, 6-0, 6-3. Del Potro was carrying a knock that began to wear him down as the match went on. Nonetheless, the European won and will be battling it out with Djokovic for a place in the gran final.