Tsonga feels at home on Melbourne courts

Published Sat, Jan 23 10 06:52 PM

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has been left to fly the French flag alone heading into the second week of the singles draw at the Australian Open, but he is not concerned.

The hardcourts at Melbourne Park have provided him with his most success at grand slams.

While his best result is the fourth round at each of Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, he made the Australian Open final in 2008 and quarter-finals last year.

The 24-year-old also relishes playing on the showcourts in Rod Laver Arena and the adjacent Hisense Arena.

"I like tennis like this... It's better to play in front of, you know, 10,000 people than two people... somewhere in the bush," he said with a typical Gallic shrug of his shoulders and smile.

"So of course it's good for me. I enjoy, you know, every moment, every match, every point I play on this court," he added after beating 18th seed Tommy Haas 6-4 3-6 6-1 7-5 in the third round on Saturday.

"I'm pleased I didn't play a fifth set. It was good for me to win in four sets, because I save a bit of energy," he said.

Tsonga believes the second week of the year's opening grand slam is a fresh start for everyone involved.

"I think I will be dangerous. A new tournament begins, you know, and it's gonna be the second week. I know I have my chance, and I will try to take it."

Tsonga will meet Spain's Nicolas Almagro in the fourth round on Monday.

"He's a dangerous player. A bit the same profile as Tommy Haas," Tsonga said. "Maybe he puts more spin on his ball, but he's really dangerous.

"He can hit the ball very hard from everywhere on the court, you know, and is a good player."

Source: Web Search