Tsonga Saves 3 MPs To Edge Isner; Meets Federer In Final

© AFP/Getty ImagesJo-Wilfried Tsonga has a 24-16 record in tie-breaks this year.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will have an opportunity to lift his second BNP Paribas Masters trophy in three years on Sunday when the fifth-seeded Frenchman takes on Swiss Roger Federer, who is appearing in his 99th tour-level final.

Tsonga, who beat David Nalbandian for the 2008 Paris title, defeated unseeded American John Isner 3-6, 7-6(1), 7-6(3) over two hours and 59 minutes in the semi-finals on Saturday evening.

"I think I went beyond frustration," said Tsonga on his fightback from a set down. "The first set was really tough. Little by little I said, 'Listen, Jo, you have to enjoy this moment. Whatever happens, it's a great moment. Everybody's behind you. People are supporting you.' What I had in mind was, 'You don't have to win, but at least enjoy yourself and love it.'

"I started feeling better and enjoying it, and especially trying to go forward with my returns, hit early. Even if the ball went out, at least I was playing the tennis I enjoy playing, and it helped me play better."

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Isner lost just five points on serve in the 39-minute first set, hitting three aces and converting one of four break point opportunities in the sixth game.

It was a closer affair in the second set, with Tsonga failing to convert three break point opportunities to Isner's two chances en route to a tie-break. Tsonga won six straight points from 1-1.

Tsonga kept the pressure on Isner in the deciding set, with Isner saving one break point in the first game and fighting back from 0/40 at 4-4. But two games later, Tsonga found himself in trouble.

He managed to save three match points - much to the delight of the Parisian crowd - to hold on for a another tie-break, where he raised his game winning five of the first seven points.

Tsonga eventually closed out his 52nd match win of the year (52-21 overall). He has now hit 754 aces on the ATP World Tour this year, compared to 761 aces for Isner.

"A lot of times in tennis - just in any sport - you come so close to winning, and then it just gets taken away from you," said Isner. "I had three chances. I was one point away from being in the final. So it just wasn't to be. He came up with the goods, and hat's off to him. That's why he's one of the best players in the world. He came up big."

Federer beat fifth seed and 2005 champion Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic 6-4, 6-3 earlier in the day.

"It's difficult to have set tactics against him." said Tsonga, who defeated the Swiss in a remarkable five-set comeback in the Wimbledon quarter-finals in June. "What I like to do is be aggressive, because if I am just waiting for his shots I know I will lose. Whatever happens against Roger, I will need to play my best tennis.

"I'm sure he thinks the match will be tough, because otherwise he would have beaten me every time we played. But he's still Roger. Everybody knows he's capable of doing only the best almost, and he's going to be very strong tomorrow. The challenge is mine."

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