Who’s it going to be - Tsonga or Djokovic?

Personally, I would like to see Tsonga win. He seems a sweet natured lad. And it’s not his fault he’s French. Go Tsonga!

In the match we’ll have a quick mover with powerful serves versus… another quick mover with large serves. Just how quick is Tsonga? Well against Nadal, who seems to be one of the quickest around, the answer seems to come back as “pretty f’ing quick”. Or perhaps ordinarily quick (say, like… Federer!), but coupled with superb co-ordination and a massive wingspan - quite Ali-like in that regard too! Ali used to by turns reach to hit, and keep his opponents at bay, very successfully with his naturally long reach. If Tsonga keeps it up – keeps reaching shots, and keeps up the impeccable drop shots and volleys, he might just throw Djokovic’s rhythm off. Perhaps an upper hand?

Djokovic is one cocky boy, no doubt talented, bit of a thinker, perhaps not as bright as he thinks though. He could resort to gamesmanship. Those sorts of tactics may help crack someone who’s already down (e.g. Federer) but I couldn’t vouch for it lasting long as a successful approach if one was to gradually alienate the entire field of opponents. However, methinks gamesmanship might be water off Tsonga’s back as he is apparently of placid temperament and definitely, via his good-naturedness, a popular crowd-pleaser. Also he is aloof to the other player on court. So, versus a feisty annoyer (who seems slightly to feed off a partisan crowd as in the match against the crowd-backed Federer) this makes for an interesting match-up, one of the best.

Before the match I doubt Tsonga will say anything at all. Part of his power for now lies with the unknown. [Seems nobody has the full grasp yet of quite how or why he killed all those seeds]. But I’d expect pre-game psychological warfare from Djokovic as seemed to work for him against Federer. I’m almost certain Federer didn’t sleep too well and was worrying a bit, despite all his words to the contrary, having had the seeds of doubt planted by his opponent.

As an aside – no expert, obviously but I’m putting in my 2 cents (what are blogs for!) - I reckon Federer needs a new coach, i.e. a coach at all. Surely there’s times when he needs the wisdom, detached appraisal, support and master-planning that a coach/mentor could provide. I’ve no idea how many people are in his team already doing these things though… now that he can’t rely on being a better player than everyone else on every single day, perhaps he’d also benefit from some of the tidbits and knowledge about opponents that I suspect only a coach could pick up from the sidelines. He said recently he mainly focuses on improving his own game. A future weakness perhaps? Today Federer was thrashed by Djokovic. The other day, Djokovic reportedly gave fellow Serbian Tipsarevic some good advice on how to play Federer prior to that clash. Where does Federer get this sort of information on his opponents? Then again, from all accounts he’s a sociable chap so perhaps he has a collection of sports friends (and coaches) – you know, people like Tiger Woods, no one special, to call upon for advice and to restore faith in himself.

Speaking of faith in himself, Tsonga’s greatest strength, it appears, is just this. He has said it before. And no injuries now… Djokovic, for all his bravado, could be covering for his insecurities. I would bet he does not have the self-belief that the big Frenchman does. Even after thrashing Federer. And I reckon this might be his undoing.

Predictions on the scoreline… hmm. It’s fun to try… and I’ve never publicly gone out on a limb before, so sod it! After this morning, when my safe bet got beaten, I don’t care any more :). Let’s say a tough first set. A break of each. 7-5 to Djokovic. Set 2 goes 6-4 in Tsonga’s favour. Set 3 goes to Tsonga 6-3. Set 4 a tight one, 7-6 (5) Tsonga. C’mon Tsonga!

Music to be happy to and music to be sentimental to…
And here songs and videos available from 15 cents.