Andy Murray beat Jo-Wilfriend Tsonga 7-5, 7-5, 6-4 in the last sixteen of the U.S Open to set up a rematch of the 2012 final with Novak Djokovic. The Serbian made it into the last eight with a 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 win over Philipp Kohlschreiber.
Murray had to navigate the tougher draw into the quarters. Tsonga had beaten him on the way to winning Toronto a few weeks ago. That was a rare victory for Tsonga though- the Frenchman trails the Scot 2-9 in their head to head, and as Murray showed in their match in New York today, he is the better big match player. In a year in which Murray has not even made a final of an ATP event, he has still managed to make the quarters in London and Melbourne, and the semis in Paris.
Along the way, the Scot has had some close shaves- Kohlschrieber in Paris anyone?-but his solid game has got him through. But against Tsonga in New York, Murray was not just solid as he claimed his first win over a top tenner since his Wimbledon final victory over Djokovic, he was inspired. Playing the aggressive tennis which has eluded him since his back injury last year, the tennis he was always told to play, but never listened to anyone until Lendl. Murray got past Tsonga with solid tennis, yes, variety, too, but more than anything he beat Tsonga with inspiration, hitting 10 forehand winners, 45 winners in all, and only 18 errors. Once upon a time, a +27 differential was the stuff of dreams for Murray fans, and that was when he was contending slam finals. Now he is bringing it out after a year in the relative wilderness, and against the most in form opponents.
Murray took the first set, one played by both men to win than to lose as they approached the net 18 times in 70 points, when Tsonga served to stay in it at 5-6. Murray put the pressure on the return and hit Tsonga where it has hurt him most in the big matches, in the mind. Everything about Murray’s return game said I believe I can take this, and he did.
Tsonga did not wilt, though, not even in the cruel humidity of labor day in New York, and he led in both sets two and three by a break. But a break is not good enough against Murray, and the Scot broke back in the second and third sets to level, only to then break Tsonga again as he served to stay in the match. One of the best returns in the game was simply too much for one of the best serves, and Murray will go into the clash with Djokovic on a high after dismissing one of the favorites so convincingly.
Commentary by Christian Deverille
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