Stan Wawrinka guns down Tsonga in a tight Semi-final match at Roland Garros

The eight-seeded Swiss player, Stanislas Wawrinka advanced to his first final at the Roland Garros with a 6-3, 6-7 [1], 7-6 [3], 6-4 win over the local favourite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in searing conditions of the French Open, 2015. The 30-year-old also shattered French hopes of a first men’s singles champion in 32 years at the Philippe Chatrier Court.

In an extremely gruelling contest, the Swiss edged out Tsonga in a three-hour 46-minute contest that was played in the region of 33 degree Celsius. The 2014 Australian Open winner, saved 16 of the 17 break points he faced.

“It was a huge battle, very difficult physically, a lot of intensity on both sides and it could have gone either way,” Wawrinka said. “He had chances to break me in the third set, but he had a great tournament and deserves just as much as me to be in the final.”

Wawrinka had initially faced three break points in the Opening game of the first set – but he saved them in a decent manner and kept his game intact throughout his first set victory.

In the second set, the Swiss broke Tsonga at 4-3; but the energetic Frenchman came back 4-4 and he had the roaring crowd on their feet. The 30-year-old Frenchman went onto to play in a more focussed manner to seal the tie-breaker and win the second-set.

Tsonga continued to hold serve and Wawrinka needed to save a succession of break points. But this time, it was the Swiss who handled the tie-breaker in a better manner to get into lead. That happened to be a blow for Tsonga, who dropped his serve in the opening game of the fourth set. This proved to be enough for Wawrinka to hold his serve throughout the set and progress through, into the championship match for the first time in 11 attempts.

The eight-seeded Swiss, served 15 aces and hit 60 winners to set-up a captivating match against either Djokovic or Murray. He now hopes to join the likes of Mats Wilander and Ivan Lendl in completing the Boy’s-Musketeer’s Cup Double at Roland Garros that needs trophies at both Junior and Senior level.