Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has looked capable of winning grand slam titles ever since reaching the Australian Open final in 2008 but has always fallen into the category of also-ran.
The popular Frenchman raised home hopes again on Tuesday when he beat Japan’s Kei Nishikori 6-1, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3, in front of an adoring crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier to reach his second French Open semi-final in three years.
Now he wants to go at least one better, having also lost two Wimbledon semi-finals in 2011 and 2012, to Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray respectively, the Australian Open semi-final to Roger Federer in 2010 and to David Ferrer in the French semis in 2013.
While Djokovic, who beat him in Melbourne in 2008 to earn his first major, has added seven more and currently has the world No 1 ranking locked down, Tsonga has often threatened but never quite delivered.
“These six semis, well, that’s wonderful, but I have not yet won it,” Tsonga, 30, told a news conference.
“So six semis, that’s all very nice. I have not yet won it. The good thing would be to win one day. The earlier I can do this – well, if this happens, the earlier the better, because then it will do me a lot of good.”
Tsonga celebrated beating Nishikori in a topsy turvy match by theatrically drawing a “ROLAND, JE T’AIME” with his foot on the Roland Garros clay before laying down on his back on centre court, his arms out-stretched.
After the initial euphoria, however, Tsonga will realise that he may never have a better chance to reach another final as it is Stan Wawrinka, not one of the established “Big 4” who awaits in the semi-final.
Wawrinka did him a favour by getting rid of 17-times grand slam champion Federer on Tuesday.
Should he beat Wawrinka, stiil a huge task, Tsonga would probably face either Djokovic or nine-times Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal, meaning a first major title may still be out of reach.
Tsonga, however, has his own dream.
“You’re going to be praised when you reach semis at Roland Garros as if you had already won the tournament,” he said.
“Whereas, in fact, to me it’s not ended yet. Therefore, since the most recent episodes, I try and take a lot of distance and not to pay too much attention to all these articles.
“What I do is for myself. It is my own dream.”
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The biog
Date of birth: 27 May, 1995
Place of birth: Dubai, UAE
Status: Single
School: Al Ittihad private school in Al Mamzar
University: University of Sharjah
Degree: Renewable and Sustainable Energy
Hobby: I enjoy travelling a lot, not just for fun, but I like to cross things off my bucket list and the map and do something there like a 'green project'.
MATCH INFO
Manchester United v Manchester City, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match is on BeIN Sports
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Baby Driver
Director: Edgar Wright
Starring: Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, Lily James
Three and a half stars
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MATCH INFO
Day 2 at the Gabba
Australia 312-1
Warner 151 not out, Burns 97, Labuschagne 55 not out
Pakistan 240
Shafiq 76, Starc 4-52
Meydan race card
6.30pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,600m
7.05pm: Handicap Dh 185,000 2,000m
7.40pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap Dh 190,000 1,400m
8.50pm: Handicap Dh 175,000 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap Dh 175,000 1,200m
10pm: Handicap Dh 165,000 1,600m
Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species
Camelpox
Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.
Falconpox
Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.
Houbarapox
Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
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