• ATP World Tour Finals

Tsonga outguns Fish to give Federer the upper hand

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beat Mardy Fish in straight sets © Getty Images

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• Profile: Mardy Fish | Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga gave his hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals a major boost with victory over Mardy Fish at the ATP World Tour Finals.

The world No. 6, who lost his opening round robin match to defending champion Roger Federer on Sunday, claimed a 7-6(4) 6-1 victory in a thrilling encounter at London's O2 Arena.

The Group B clash may have been a prelude to the much-anticipated clash between Federer and Rafael Nadal on Tuesday evening, but it was a highly entertaining match as Tsonga's firepower ultimately proved too great for Fish, the Frenchman winning six games in a row to streak away to victory. Tsonga's win means Federer can qualify for the semi-finals, should he beat Nadal on Tuesday evening, while Nadal must win in straight sets to secure his progress.

The pair, who had never played each other before this season, met for the first time at the US Open this year, when Tsonga won a five-set epic at Flushing Meadows, and it was the Frenchman who grabbed an early break.

After squandering his first break point with a slapdash return after a lengthy baseline rally, Tsonga was soon punching the air after a superb running forehand pass clinched the break at the second time of asking. Tsonga threatened to run away with the match following a sublime dinked volley, but two unforced errors handed Fish break-back points, which he gratefully accepted.

But Fish did not take advantage, and failed to hold onto his second service game. The American was unhappy at a line-call - replays showed Tsonga's drop shot had bounced out - and vented his frustration at umpire

After three games and three breaks of serve, Tsonga managed to hold to take control of the opening set, but having been firmly in command at 4-2, the Frenchman inexplicably let his opponent back in the match. Serving for the set, a wild forehand ballooned out to find himself 0-30 down.

A stunning lob gave Fish his first break point, which was saved by a monster 140mph serve, but a mishit backhand sailed long, and somehow, Fish was back on level terms at 5-5. A comfortable service game to love left Tsonga serving to stay in the set, but the Frenchman kept his cool to force a tiebreak.

Despite superb athleticism from Fish, scurrying back to the baseline to hit a low return between his legs at full pace, Tsonga was on hand to smash the ball away and tighten his grip on the tiebreak. Fish served well to force Tsonga to serve for the set, but this time the Frenchmen held his nerve to wrap up the opening set in 53 minutes.

Still fuming at the umpire, Fish continued to berate himself, but it only served to fire him up as he grabbed an early break, only for Tsonga to break back immediately. After an early exchange of breaks, Tsonga began to pull away as Fish had no answer to the Frenchman's raw power.

The American smashed his racket on the floor in a fury, but he was helpless to stop Tsonga streaking away to a convincing victory.

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