Paris – SF

The first semifinal disappointed, Tomas Berdych – as usual a day after a marathon – had visibly problems with his muscles and couldn’t threaten the in-form Roger Federer. The Swiss won 6-4, 6-3 in 80 minutes never facing a break point. “I really played great today. I didn’t give Tomas much. I was able to play aggressive and serve good, so overall it was a wonderful performance. I just felt like I was reading his serve, I was playing well from the baseline.” said Federer after reaching the first final in Paris-Bercy to collect finals in all ‘Masters 1000’ events.
Much more entertaining was the second semifinal, in which Jo-Wilfried Tsonga battled past John Isner in three sets (2 hours 58 minutes) to avenge a defeat he suffered two years ago after almost identical scoreline #. Tsonga didn’t break the American once in 17 return games, but was distinctively better in tie-breaks. In the 12th game of the final set, Tsonga led 40-15 on serve and made two errors followed by a double fault. He saved the match point with Isner’s help – return error after Tsonga’s conservative second serve. Tsonga fought off two more match points with forehand winner down the line and Isner’s backhand error after a short rally. Then jumped into a comfortable 3:0 lead and converted his first match point with a forehand winner. It is Isner’s sixth defeat of the season despite holding a match point – he equals an inglorious record of Ivan Ljubicic, who nine years ago lost 6 m.p. matches as well (the Croat lost more match points in total – 18, versus Isner’s 13).

# H2H, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. John Isner:

2009 – Washington, 2R: Isner 4-6, 7-6(2), 7-6(4)
2011 – Paris, SF: Tsonga 3-6, 7-6(1), 7-6(3)