Tsonga storms back to set up Federer final

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will face Roger Federer in the final of the Paris Masters after he came from a set down to beat John Isner 3-6 7-6 (7/1) 7-6 (7/3).

Isner took the first set as Tsonga struggled with his serve and looked out of sorts in front of his home crowd.

However, the Frenchman fought back and claimed the second-set tie-break before repeating the feat in the final set after Isner squandered three match points.

The first set went with serve until the sixth game when Isner broke Tsonga as the Frenchman lacked his usual accuracy.

Both players then held serve giving Isner the chance to take the first set, and the American duly converted his first set point after Tsonga fired his return into the net.

The second set went to a tie-break as neither player could break, with Tsonga regaining his confidence.

Tsonga then powered through the second-set tie-break to level the match.

The match progressed on serve after Tsonga squandered three break points in the ninth game but it was Isner who was left to rue missed chances as he wasted three match points, the Frenchman levelling instead at 6-6.

It meant the final set went to a tie-break where Tsonga stormed through to take the match and progress into the final.

Earlier, Federer eased past Tomas Berdych to secure a place in his first ever final in the competition.

Czech Berdych, who ended Andy Murray’s 17-match unbeaten run yesterday, was powerless to prevent the Swiss star from winning 6-4 6-3 in 81 minutes.

Federer, seeded three, broke early for a 2-0 lead and held on to the advantage to claim the opening set.

Berdych dropped his opening service game in the second set as well with Federer breaking again to secure his 801st career victory.

“I thought the match was tough,” Federer told www.atpworldtour.com after the match. “I took advantage of Tomas being a touch slow maybe in the first couple of games, because once that machine is warmed up he’s a very dangerous player.

“But I really played great today. I didn’t give Tomas much. I was able to play aggressive and serve good, so it was overall a wonderful performance.”