Rafael Nadal overcame strong resistance from Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to reach the semifinals of the Rolex Paris Masters on Friday.
The world No. 2 came up against his toughest test this week, but prevailed to clinch a hard-fought 7-6(4), 6-1 victory in one hour and 35 minutes.
Tsonga was rock solid on serve in a first set which did not see a single service game from either player even reach deuce. But Rafa stepped it up in the tie-break, with two incredible winners on the run helping him take a crucial one-set lead. Tsonga’s serve briefly deserted him in the second game of the second set, as successive double faults allowed Nadal to claim the first break of the match and he then sped to victory.
With the win, Rafa extended his winning streak to 14 matches. He now holds a 10-4 ATP Head2Head advantage over the Frenchman.
His semifinal opponent will be Denis Shapovalov, who defeated Gael Monfils 6-2, 6-2.
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Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts during a break of his tennis match against France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga during their men’s singles quarter-final tennis match at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 – Rolex Paris Masters – indoor tennis tournament at The AccorHotels Arena in Paris on November 1, 2019. (Photo by MARTIN BUREAU / AFP) (Photo by MARTIN BUREAU/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo by Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Photo by Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Photo by Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Photo by Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Photo by Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Photo by Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Photo by Johnny Fidelin/Icon Sport via Getty Images
Photo by Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Photo by Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Photo by Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Photo by Johnny Fidelin/Icon Sport via Getty Images
Photo by Johnny Fidelin/Icon Sport via Getty Images
Photo by Johnny Fidelin/Icon Sport via Getty Images
Photo by Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Source: AFP
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Once again Congratulation Rafa !! you´ve been G R E A T, for next round you´ll face Good Luck !! From The Canaries, with my best sport and friendly wishes, C. Javier
Rafa has pulled out due to injury, hope it is not serious……
Take care Rafa❤️
Congratulations Rafa well don vamossssssssss champ we love you 😍 🎾👍💪🇺🇸
Good Luck & Vamos RAFA!
OLA…….OLA……..OLA………OLA…………AND VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!:) CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR FIESTY 2 SET STRIKING VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) GORGEOUS TIE BREAK AND MANY BRIGHT STRONG RETURNS AND FANTASTIC SERVE!!!!!!!!!:) LOVE ALL YOUR FUN RAFA NADAL POINTS!!!!!!!!!:) SO FUN TO WATCH YOU MAKE IMPOSSIBLE BALLS ON THE RUN…..GENIUS REACH AND DELIVERING WINNERS AT SUCH HIGH TOP TOP LEVEL !!!!!!!!:) YOU ARE BEAUTIFULLY FIT AND YOUR BLESSED SPEED IS VERY SPECIAL……YOU RUN SO FAST SWEETHEART AND SO FOCUSED AND SO CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!:) VAMOS DEAR RAFA AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR CLASSY BEAUTIFUL TENNIS AND FOR MAKING SEMI FINALS!!!!!!!!!:) KUDOS FOR YOUR BRILLIANT EFFORTS AND PASSION SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!:) GO RAFA GO AND LETS KEEP SINGING LETS GO RAFA LETS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)🎶😊🎶😊 WE LOVE YOU AND SENDING LOTS OF LOVE AND HAPPINESS!!!!!!!!!!!!:) ENJOY A LOVELY EVENING CELEBRATING YOUR GORGEOUS VICTORY AND A BEAUTIFUL TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!:)
ZGOOD NIGHT AND SWEET DREAMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) :):):):):)XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Nole looked frighteningly good this afternoon, but Rafa looked pretty good this evening too. Fingers crossed for tomorrow!
Two more to go and closer to the title. Good luck tomorrow.
Vamos Rafa…Keep your fire burning!
Enhorabuena!!! Bien jugado.. Descansa y suerte para mañana..
Close first set and the second set was perfect to the end. Well done Rafa and one step closer for number one at the end of the year😉
Take rest and than all the best for tomorrow. Vamos Rafa <3
Congratulations Rafa👏❤️ 🤗
Good luck in the next round against Denis🍀
Vamos💪