World No. 2
Rafael Nadal and French upstart
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga advanced to a semifinal meeting Tuesday at the
Australian Open.
Tsonga beat Russian No. 14 seed
Mikhail Youzhny 7-5, 6-0, 7-6(6), while Nadal also subdued Finland's
Jarkko Nieminen in straight sets 7-5, 6-3, 6-1.
"I played just unbelievable, it's just amazing, I don't know what to say," Tsonga said. "I tried to be relaxed because it's a big event for me and it was difficult to stay calm, it worked and I'm very happy about that."
Nadal improved to 4-0 career against Nieminen, who had two set points in the opening set.
"He had set points against me in the first set and he had a good chance with the second serve. He missed the return but he played great today and he has started the season very well," Nadal said.
If Nadal wins the event and world No. 1
Roger Federer loses to
James Blake in the quarterfinals, Nadal will assume the world No. 1 ranking for the first time.
