22 January,2009 04:38 PM IST | | AFP
Courageous fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga survived a 195-minute marathon to down Croatian Ivan Ljubicic 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (10/8), 7-6 (8/7), 6-2 in the second round of the Australian Open today.
In a high-quality match played on the Hisense Arena, Tsonga and Ljubicic could barely be separated as they went toe-to-toe in an enthralling contest.
"I played really well out there," said the Frenchman.
"I was proud of myself because I was very courageous today."
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Tsonga, who enraptured local fans as he won his way to the final of the 2008 Open, had his work cut out from the moment he lost his second service game.
He broke back later in the first set but the big-serving Ljubicic played better in the tie-break and took the early advantage.
Both men were serving superbly and it was no surprise when the next two sets went to tie-breaks.
Tsonga leveled the match when he took the second set tie-break 10/8, setting up set point with a cracking forehand down the line then blasting an ace to win the set.
He then saved three set points in the third set tie-break before going ahead with two sets to one on his first set point opportunity.
The fourth set started much the same way as both players comfortably won their first two service games and another tie-break beckoned.
But at 2-2 Tsonga suddenly attacked and broke Ljubicic to love.
He served out a solid game to go ahead 4-2, then broke Ljubicic for 5-2.
The Frenchman, who appeared to be cramping in his right leg during the fourth set, showed no signs of nerves as he served out the match.
