Tsonga gets Federised

Yes its very true. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was left wondering what had struck him. It was the second semi-final of the Australian Open and he was up against the Swiss World No. 1 Roger Federer. But, it ended up looking like a first round outing, as Federer simply demolished the Frenchman. The match lasted less than an hour and a half, and ended at 6-2, 6-3, 6-2. The great man hardly broke a sweat.

Tsonga had got through to here after having got past the No. 3 seed Novak Djokovic in a five-setter. He had his big serve and fast court coverage in his armoury, but even they were of no use today. Instead, he was feeling the heat from the racquet of the Swiss, and the same weapons deserted him, as he conceded five breaks in the match, including five double faults. On the other hand, the Federer serve worked like a well-oiled machine, conceding not even a break opportunity and no double faults. The mastery elegance that one associates with the Federer game was in full show as he unleashed all of his tricks.

There was this overhead lob, taken from behind his head; then the forehand winner on the run taken from the service box and over the net post; then the many drop shots, that were so well disguised, they were a treat to watch; there was this one outrageous drop shot from behind the baseline as well!!!

And from Tsonga, ......was he even playing......yeah he was, he was just hitting the ball back to the master. The poor chap had no chance of even touching the great man, who was playing at another level, a level quite alien to this planet.

Federer who would now be playing his 22nd Grand Slam Final, another record, will be up against Britain's No. 5 seed Andy Murray. Both had met previously in a Grand Slam Final, in US Open '08, where Federer taught Murray a lesson or two with a straight sets victory. Murray has gone places after that, and it will be nowhere near that easy for the Swiss master. A record 16th Grand Slam title beckons the great man, whereas Murray would be looking to break the duck. The World No. 1 would also be looking to start another journey towards that elusive Grand Slam record, winning all the majors in the same year.....will he do it this year???....all Federised Fans want answer to only that one question!!!