Tsonga calls tune as Nadal crashes out

JO-WILFRIED TSONGA has described his run to the Australian Open final as “ridiculous” after destroying second seed Rafael Nadal in the last four yesterday.

Nadal, the three-time defending French Open champion, was completely outclassed by the 22-year-old from Le Mans, who romped to a 6-2 6-3 6-2 win in under two hours.

He will now compete for the title on Sunday against either world number one Roger Federer or third seed Novak Djokovic.

Tsonga said: “It’s a big dream. I don’t know what to say about that. It’s just amazing. It is ridiculous.

“I think it’s the first time I’ve played to this level and it’s here in the semi-finals of the Australian Open.”

Ranked 38th in the world, Tsonga had already accounted for Andy Murray, Richard Gasquet and Mikhail Youzhny at Melbourne Park.

And he never looked in any danger against Nadal. He broke twice in the first set to wrap it up in 32 minutes.

And it was more of the same in the second with Tsonga making Nadal look second-rate.

He added: “Rafael plays the same tennis all the time. His level is very high and it’s very difficult to play against him. But I was just concentrating on my own game. I was moving on the court like I never move, so everything was perfect.”

Nadal was gracious in defeat, admitting he was powerless to prevent Tsonga from dominating.

The Spaniard said: “He played unbelievably. He played the ball very hard every time and his serving was unbelievable. On the backhand he did not miss one. Forehand, every time he did it, he won (the point), so I congratulate him. That’s it.

“I was in a good rhythm but I did not have a chance. I was playing fine. He just played better than me.’’

Meanwhile Ana Ivanovic believes yesterday’s topsy-turvy semi-final performance could work to her advantage when she faces Maria Sharapova in the final of the Australian Open tomorrow.

The pair won through to the title match in contrasting styles at Melbourne Park.

Sharapova crushed a physically and emotionally battered Jelena Jankovic 6-3 6-1, while Ivanovic lost the first eight games of her match to Daniela Hantuchova before winning 0-6 6-3 6-4.

Serbian Ivanovic, however, was not concerned at the physical toll the match had taken on her body, instead preferring to dwell on the positives which arise from playing such a high-pressure match.

“I think there are benefits from both because obviously you want a bit of an easier match so you can be fresher, but on the other hand in these kinds of matches, I can take a lot of confidence,” she said. “I managed to fight through the match and this is definitely very positive.’’

Ivanovic was a finalist at last year’s French Open, but Sharapova will hold the edge in terms of experience in tomorrow’s showdown.

“When you have experience behind your back it’s a huge advantage,” said two-time grand slam winner Sharapova, who was thrashed in last year’s final at Melbourne Park by Serena Williams.

“Even though I had a tough year last year, you still learn and gain so much from bad experiences as well. I’ve been in numerous grand slam semi-finals and a few finals.

“Even if I’m playing someone 26 years old or 27 that has much more experience, you hope the experience you have and the thrill to be out there will help you through.”