By Chris Soderstrom
Home favourite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga dumped third seed Novak Djokovic from the Paris Masters yesterday with a surging 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 victory.
The Frenchman, seeded No. 13 in Paris, kept a glimmer of hope alive in reaching the season-ending Shanghai Masters when he continued Djokovic’s poor recent Masters form.
“I know I’m not at the level I played throughout the first part of the season,” said the 21-year-old, who has failed to win a title since May. “But that’s sport - you have your ups and downs. It’s a crisis that every player goes through.”
“I’m sure I’ll overcome it but I have lost to Jo, who played a fantastic third set. He had a very high percentage of first serves and was very aggressive.”
Tsonga will next play Andy Roddick in the round of eight, and will need to win if he has any hope of qualifying for the Tennis Masters Cup.
David Nalbandian, the defending champion, continues to blossom late in the season coasting past Davis Cup team-mate Juan Martin Del Potro 6-4, 6-0 and will look ahead to a likely duel against Andy Murray.
The 20-year-old, currently seventh in the ATP race, could slide outside of selection for the eight man field depending on the outcome in Paris.
“David did a great match. I don’t know if I’ll play Shanghai – I’m not qualified yet,” said Del Potro.
“At least if I don’t I have the Davis Cup for sure - and that gives me plenty of motivation.”
Nalbandian must win in Paris to have any hope of qualifying for Shanghai.