Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Unseeded Tsonga Crushes Nadal

French phenom roars into Australian Open final in straight set upset

By Chip Bayers,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 24, 2008 4:42 PM CST
Email

(Newser) – ESPN's Bonnie Ford called it the "Tsonga Tsunami": a 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 wipeout of world #2 Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open semifinals which stunned the tennis world Thursday in Melbourne. Using a wide array of shots to score winners from everywhere on the court, Tsonga made Nadal -whose game is built on strength and speed - look weak and slow throughout the night.

"I felt like I couldn't do anything wrong, like I wasn't going to make any mistakes, like I could put all the strength I wanted into the ball and I wasn't going to blow it," Tsonga told the French-speaking media after the match. In his postmatch press conference, a humbled Nadal wouldn't call Tsonga "lucky," - but did say his performance "is not his real level. Sure, he can play like this, but not every week!"

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France returns to Spain's Rafael Nadal in a Men's singles semi final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France returns to Spain's Rafael Nadal in a Men's singles semi final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Andrew...   (Associated Press)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France reacts as he plays Spain's Rafael Nadal in a Men's singles semi final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France reacts as he plays Spain's Rafael Nadal in a Men's singles semi final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008. (AP...   (Associated Press)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France reacts to a point win as he plays Spain's Rafael Nadal in a Men's singles semi final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France reacts to a point win as he plays Spain's Rafael Nadal in a Men's singles semi final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan....   (Associated Press)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France looks on Spain's Rafael Nadal during a Men's singles semi final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France looks on Spain's Rafael Nadal during a Men's singles semi final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Andrew...   (Associated Press)
Spain's Rafael Nadal sits in a chair during a Men's singles semi final match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)
Spain's Rafael Nadal sits in a chair during a Men's singles semi final match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 24,...   (Associated Press)
Spain's Rafael Nadal runs to return in his Men's singles semi final match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Spain's Rafael Nadal runs to return in his Men's singles semi final match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008....   (Associated Press)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France celebrates after beating Spain's Rafael Nadal during their Men's singles semi final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France celebrates after beating Spain's Rafael Nadal during their Men's singles semi final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan....   (Associated Press)
Spain's Rafael Nadal grimaces during his Men's singles semi final match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Spain's Rafael Nadal grimaces during his Men's singles semi final match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008....   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Australian Open web site
Australian Open

ESPN video coverage
ESPN

 
Rafael Nadal • Melbourne • Australian Open • Jo Wilfried Tsonga • Grand Slam tennis

More Newser Stories

Nadal Denies Federer, Wins Open

Nadal Makes Aussie Open Final

Nadal, Serena Reach Semis in 110° Heat

Murray Bombs Out, Serena Catches a Break

Venus Ousted in Round 2 of Aussie Open
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne