Djokovic Wins Aussie Open Finals

January 28, 2008

(Long Island, N.Y.) In what was considered as one of the best matches of all time, Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Montenegro won his first GrandSlam event title in the Australian Open against young upstart Jo-Wilfired Tsonga of France with a score of 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(2).

Thousands of fans cheering wildly in the stands and Millions at home where treated to a classic match in the finale. The game was an onslaught of power and finesse filled with unparalleled intensity on both sides of the court. Tsonga who started the 2007 season as the World’s 198th ranked player and this year as an unseeded player in the tournament played like an aged warrior in capturing the first set showing no sign of fear and vulnerabilities at the start of the match. He was making tremendous shot’s that were almost reminiscent of the game he had against World number 2 ranked player Rafael Nadal in the semifinal round where he dismantled the Spaniard in a dominating straight set that often left Nadal with his jaw dropped to the floor with Tsonga’s abilities.

The third seeded Djokovic stayed in the game and matched Tsonga’s intensity in the second set setting up a crucial break when Tsonga sent a ball flying wide on a forehand at 30-40 down and 3-all at the set that gave him the lead and the chance to serve the set out which he did to capture his first set win of the match. “I knew that I’m playing against a big server, and I have to wait for my chances, and, you know, he started the match really well. You could see that in the first set. And he was obviously a better player in that first set.” Said Djokovic of Tsonga’s fast start.

As the third set started, Tsonga raised his level up a notch in another battle that commenced but Djokovic was ready for it this time. Using big serves right on the T or wide on the forehand side, Djokovic never allowed Tsonga to challenge his serve games while frequently giving Tsonga a run for his money on his own service game. By the latter stages of the set, Tsonga was obviously weary and his weakness showed when Djokovic broke him again to set up another set-point which he captured with ease.

In the fourth set, Djokovic apeared to start feeling some heat as his right leg started to tighten up. Tsonga immediately attacked his forehand side to capitalize on his opponent’s misfortunes but his own aggressiveness in taking advantage eventually spelled his doom. Without any break of serves, the set went to a thrilling tie-break but with too much aggression on Tsonga’s side to attack the forehand of Djokovic, he made untimely unforced errors that gave the fourth set and the Championship to the Serbian who collapsed in the court after the final point and tears flowed as his jubilation started.

With the support of the Australian crowd clearly on Tsonga’s side, he gallantly accepted defeat and said, “It’s all right,” he told the fans at Rod Laver Arena, his high cheekbones lit up by a mischievous grin. “I still love you guys.”

Posted by News LI Editor · Edited by Brianna - Filed Under Sports