Jo-Wilfried Tsonga wins titanic five-set tussle against Denis Shapovalov
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Updated 17/01/2018 at 11:35 GMT
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga came back from 5-2 down in the final set to beat the brilliant young Denis Shapovalov in five enthralling sets at the Australian Open, 3-6, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (4), 7-5.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France celebrates winning
Image credit: Getty Images
Shapovalov is arguably the most exciting young talent in tennis and showed no fear in reaching the brink of victory against the vastly experienced Frenchman in the second match on Margaret Court Arena.
The Canadian pulled off all manner of sublime shots, including one ridiculously relaxed passing shot that has to be one of the highlights of the tournament so far.
After Shapovalov took the first set, Tsonga struck back. But the response was emphatic as the Canadian rattled off the next set 6-1 and then prevailed in a tie-break in the fourth set.
Shapovalov looked poised for victory at 5-2 in the fifth, but Tsonga orchestrated an amazing comeback to win the final five games, and the match. Nick Kyrgios awaits if he can beat Viktor Troicki later on Wednesday.
"I'm tired but really happy," the popular Frenchman, who has been troubled by a calf injury in the build-up to the tournament, said on Margaret Court Arena.
"I did a big fight today. It's not easy to play the young guns, they play great and go for everything so it's difficult to defend. I suffered physically but I continued to fight."
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