Deflated Fed salutes brilliant Tsonga

A dejected Roger Federer conceded he was well beaten by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga as the Frenchman kept alive hopes of a home victory at Roland Garros.

Not since Yannick Noah 30 years ago has a home player lifted the Coupe des Mousquetaires, but Tsonga showed he will be a tough man to beat with a thumping 7-5 6-3 6-3 victory over Federer yesterday to reach his first semi-final at Roland Garros.

Tsonga has always been capable of brilliance but he and coach Roger Rasheed appear to have added consistency to his game and he was simply too good for Federer.