Australian Open 2009 - Tsonga Leads French Assault

2008 Runnerup and 2009 number 5 seed, Jo Wilfried Tsonga leads a strong corps of Frenchmen at the top of the Men’s Draw into the third round. Tsonga was pushed to the limit on a muggy and windy Day Three in Melbourne. Surprising Croation Ivan Ljubicic gave the fans their money’s worth pressing Tsonga all the way in a tough four set loss. Tsonga’s tournament preparation paid off as he sealed a hard-earned 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 6-2 marathon-like match. Tsonga will next play 30th seed Israeli Dudi Sela, a 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 winner over Victor Hanescu.

Tsonga and his cast of four French teammates charged into the third round at the Australian Open and established the French team as the top entry in the year’s first Grand Slam. 24th seed Richard Gasquet defeated Denis Istomin 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, 12th seeded Gael Monfils, a 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 winner over Stefan Koubek and 6th seeded Gilles Simon, a 6-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-1 winner over Australian Chris Guccione joined Tsonga at the top of the draw in round three. The quartet will join lower bracket countryman Fabrice Santoro, who plays Andy Roddick on Day Five, in a making a huge statement about the quality of French tennis.

In the third round, Gasquet will play Fernando Gonzalez, Monfils will take on 17th seed Spaniard Nicolas Almagro and Simon will play five set winner Mario Ancic. All five French second round winners are capable of victory. If the fabulous five move onto the round of 16, it would put a stamp on the resurgence of French tennis.

Top seed Rafael Nadal was again impressive and composed in his straight set 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 win over Roko Karanusic. Nadal will play another hot player in German Tommy Haas. Haas has been impressive through the first two rounds. His second round 6-1, 6-2, 6-1 win put him on the brink of a breakout performance to jump into the upper echelon of the tennis world. 2009 could well be the year for Haas, whose big game potential has never been denied. The Nadal – Haas matchup in round three will be the Spaniard’s first real challenge in Melbourne.

4th seeded Scotsman Andy Murray’s new found maturity is impacting his play and most likely the results of this tournament. Murray cruised past upset-minded Marcel Granollers 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 and will entertain a challenge from Austrian Jurgen Melzer, the 31st seed.

American James Blake, the 9th seed, displayed all aspects of his versatile game in overcoming France’s Sebastian De Chaunac 6-3, 6-2, 6-3. Blake will next play Igor Andreev in what should be a hard hitting third round match.

The game is on at Melbourne and Round Three begins on a hot and humid Day Five. There is no doubt that endurance will come more and more into play as the rounds advance. Thus far, the big names have not been severely challenged.