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Tsonga downs Federer to reach last four

Last updated on: June 4, 2013 22:45 IST
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France waves to crowd after victory against Roger Federer of Switzerland

There will be no Roger Federer in the semi-finals of the French Open for only the second time in nine years after Jo-Wilfried Tsonga produced a rip-roaring performance to beat the Swiss 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 in the quarter-finals on Tuesday.

Twelve months after blowing four match points at the same stage against Novak Djokovic, Tsonga made sure he had a much easier ride as he sparked wild jubilations on Chatrier Court by downing a player who is used to being a fan favourite no matter where he plays.


Federer made a quick exit

Last updated on: June 4, 2013 22:45 IST
Roger Federer of Switzerland waves to the crowd after the defeat

A backhand long from Federer on match point handed Tsonga a place in the last four at Roland Garros for the first time as Federer made a quick exit from the arena where he had held aloft the Musketeers' Cup in 2009.

Tsonga will next face fourth seed David Ferrer. 

Ruthless Ferrer crushes Robredo

Last updated on: June 4, 2013 22:45 IST
David Ferrer of Spain celebrates match point in his quarter final against compatriot Tommy Robredo

There was no escape this time for comeback king Tommy Robredo as he lost an all-Spanish French Open quarter-final against ruthless fourth seed David Ferrer 6-2, 6-1, 6-1 on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old had recovered two-set deficits in all three of his previous rounds at Roland Garros but Ferrer was rock solid as he thrashed his countryman in one hour 25 minutes.

Ferrer, the second-best claycourter in Spain behind defending champion Rafa Nadal, was all over Robredo from the start, producing a near-perfect display to reach the semi-finals for the second successive year.


Serena extends winning streak to 29

Last updated on: June 4, 2013 22:45 IST
Serena Williams of United States of America celebrates match point during her quarter-final against Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia

Serena Williams extended her winning streak to 29 matches when she beat Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in the quarter-finals to continue her run towards a second French Open title on Tuesday.

The world number one, who won her only Roland Garros title in 2002, came back from a break down in the decider and played some beautiful tennis to set up a semi-final meeting with Italian fifth seed Sara Errani.

After strolling through the opening set, 15-times grand-slam champion Williams came up against a streak of forehand winners from Kuznetsova, the 2009 French Open winner.

The American fell 2-0 behind in the third before winning five games in a row, wrapping up victory with a forehand volley after nearly two hours. 

Errani cuts down Radwanska

Last updated on: June 4, 2013 22:45 IST
Sara Errani of Italy plays a forehand during her quarter-final against Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland

Sara Errani proved her run to last year's French Open final was no fluke as she toppled Polish fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4, 7-6 (6) to reach the semi-finals on Tuesday.

In a scrappy match where the second set alone featured eight breaks of serve, it was the diminutive Italian who finally raised her arms in celebration after her opponent whipped a backhand into the tramlines.

Errani's prolific work ethic this year - her 81 matches is almost double that of anyone else in the top 10 - paid off as she flummoxed Radwanska with an array of ferocious forehands, delightful dropshots and luscious lobs.

The Italian fifth seed secured her first ever win over a top five player to book a semi-final date with either world number one Serena Williams.