Tsonga thrilled by unique comeback - RTE.ie

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga became the first man to beat Roger Federer from two sets behind at a grand slam and admitted: 'I just can't believe it.'

The 26-year-old Frenchman produced some of the best tennis of his career to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals with a 3-6 6-7 (3/7) 6-4 6-4 6-4 success on Centre Court.

Federer had looked poised for a routine victory, the sort he has made his trademark at Wimbledon, when he claimed the two-set advantage.

But his opponent gave an exhibition which combined heavy hitting and finesse over the next three sets to set up a last-four showdown with Novak Djokovic.

'It was amazing today. I played unbelievable,' Tsonga said.

'To come from two sets down - that's crazy.

'He is the biggest champion in my sport. He's achieved lots of things and he's the best player in the world.

'I'm just so happy to win against him especially on grass because it's maybe his favourite surface.

'I'm so happy. I'll celebrate with my friends and family.

'Now I'm here in the semi-finals and I just can't believe it.'

'With a day to recover, Tsonga promised he would be ready for the clash with Djokovic.

'I will recover. I have time. I play on Friday. It's going to be enough (time)," he said.

'It's going to be a difficult match but I have my chance.

'I will try to come on court like today and try to win.'

Federer was left to consider what might have been while Tsonga was able to celebrate with his famous dance, but both men gave impressive performances and defeat was always going to be cruel for the loser.

Bare statistics can never tell the full story of a match but Federer's were impressive enough to have seen him past most opponents.

Of his first serves, 75% hit the target, and when they went in he won 78% of points.

He rifled 17 aces, committed just one double fault, and had just 11 unforced errors in the entire contest while hitting 57 winners.

Tsonga still edged him out though, and Federer was complimentary when it came to discussing the French 12th seed's effort.

'I think Jo played great,' Federer said. 'Really from start to finish I don't remember seeing a break point after I broke him in the first game.

'But I was close. I had all my chances. He came up with some good stuff.'

Asked what he felt went wrong and what went right, Federer replied: 'Except the score, many, many things went right.

'I thought I played a good match myself. I'm actually pretty pleased with my performance today.

'It's hard going out of the tournament that way, but unfortunately it does happen sometimes.

'At least it took a special performance to beat me, which is somewhat nice.

'I think he played an amazing match. He didn't give me many chances.'