ATP US Open Quarterfinal Preview: Roger Federer vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

In an attempt to solve the unsolvable 'French mystery', five time former champion Roger Federer takes on his conquerer in London and Montreal, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Former World No.1 Roger Federer takes on French giant-killer Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for a place in the semifinals of the 2011 US Open, season's fourth and final Grand Slam event being played here at Flushing Meadows in New York, USA.

Roger Federer is going through a difficult phase in his career and has not been able to pick up a second title so far in this season, which actually is happening for the first time since 2001. Federer, a winner of 16 Grand Slam titles, reached Roland Garros and Dubai finals, losing to Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic respectively. Despite playing flawless tennis in the first four rounds here in New York, Federer's road ahead at Flushing Meadows is paved with bigger hurdles which he can overcome with the tenacity that he brought in his French Open semifinals against Djokovic. After a four set struggle against Marin Cilic, Federer overwhelmed Juan Monaco to secure his last eight berth.

Federer's opponent, Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga may not have a title since October 2009 when he claimed his last win in Bangkok. But ever since, he has maintained a fabulous record against one man who is close to acquiring a legendary status in the world of tennis- Roger Federer. After his nail-biting win over Federer in 2009, the French star knocked out the Swiss maestro from Wimbledon this year after trailing by two sets. More success followed when Tsonga claimed his third win over Federer is Montreal to prove that his previous victories were indeed, not a flash in the pan. Tsonga has 5 career singles titles to his name and is currently ranked No.11 in the world. In the previous round here in New York, Tsonga ended the run of home favourite Mardy Fish in five gruelling sets.

Both players have contested seven matches before and Federer leads the head-to-head 4-3. The pair's previous two meetings, as stated earlier, were won by Tsonga including the most recent three set thriller in Montreal.

Where Federer is on the edge of frustration as far as the French disappointment over the past few months is concerned, Tsonga has the supreme confidence with him to record a rare triple against the Swiss maestro. As far as predicting a winner is concerned, we would like to go with the 'Grand-Slam Man'.