Jo-Wilfried Tsonga won a rematch of the 2008 Melbourne final as he outlasted an opponent whose form ebbed and flowed due to a stomach upset, eliminating former champion Novak Djokovic 7-6 (10-8), 6-7 (5-7), 1-6, 6-3, 6-1.
“I feel good, I can play another one,” said the five-set neophyte.
“I was just in a good shape. Novak played unbelievable the first three sets. Finally I won and I’m happy with that.
“I could see Novak was sick. But sometimes those guys can also win. I will be ready for Roger, it will be tough to play him.”
The Serb who was forced to quit a year ago at the event with fitness issues soldiered on but could not overcome the Frenchman playing only the second five-set match of his career — 48 hours after his first, which lasted almost four hours. Federer will take on Tsonga in a Friday semifinal standing 1-1 against the number 10.
