14/06/2013

Andy Murray & Jo-Wilfried Tsonga reach semi-finals

Share

Andy Murray and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will meet in the second semi-final of this year’s Aegon Championships after wins in their matches today at The Queen’s Club.

Murray progressed through the quarter-finals with a straight sets win against the unseeded German Benjamin Becker.

The British No.1 and top seed broke Becker’s serve in the first game. He then broke again in the fourth game before being halted when the German broke back in the sixth game. The comeback was short-lived though, as Murray responded well and served out the set 6-4.

The second set saw Becker’s serve lose its bite and it only took until the third game for Murray to nose ahead again. However the German found form and started to play more aggressively and was rewarded with two breaks of serve. Murray broke back in the seventh game to put the set back on serve.

After taking a 6-0 lead in the tie-break Becker found a way back in with three straight points. Any chance of a third set was then snuffed out as Murray sealed the victory and his place in the semi-final on Saturday.

On facing Tsonga, the British No.1 said: "It will be a big step up and also a really big test for me. He's been playing some great tennis the last couple of months. He obviously had a very good run at the French Open, and he's a top grass court player.

"He's one of the best in the world on this surface. I have had some tough matches with him on the grass before, so tomorrow will be the same."

Following them onto Centre Court Tsonga then made light work of the American Denis Kudla, ending his run at the tournament with a 6-3, 6-2 victory.

The Frenchman found form after a tough three-set match against the Dutchman Igor Sijsling in his third round. Murray and Tsonga meet for the ninth time on Saturday, and the first since Murray’s win at ATP World Tour Finals in November last year. Murray leads 7-1 in their head to head.

Looking ahead to the semi-final, Tsonga commented: "The last one I played against him here it was really close. I will try to do the same thing and try to be more consistent on big points."

"When I play the semis, I want to win not because it's less pressure or more; it's just because it's Queen's," he added.

Highlights of Jo Wilfried Tsonga's win over Denis Kudla in the quarter-finals of the men's singles