Since his first-round win over Andy Murray, it was in the air.

The young Frenchmen Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who resembles boxing superstar Muhammad Ali, has played unbelievable tennis to make his way all the way to the final of the first Grand Slam of the year. And in doing so, he has shocked tennis fans, experts and it must be said – himself.

Tsonga has all the ingredients in his game and the personality to be a great champion – power, stamina, a great head on his shoulders, along with a calm and relaxed manner that makes him on and off the court a Federer mark two. And with a bit more spark.

'Tsonga has all the ingredients in his game and the personality to be a great champion'


It was amazing to see in the semi-final against Rafael Nadal how Tsonga had learned the Spaniard's game and he made him look like an amateur for a couple of hours. He used exactly the tactics that make Nadal's tennis crumble – a mix of power and finesse that kept Rafa guessing all the way and never finding the answers.

Nadal, who uses an extreme grip on his forehand, couldn't deal with the low balls and drop shots from Tsonga, and he looked out of sorts.

Can Tsonga see his Cinderella story through all the way? If Federer is his final opponent, it will be a different proposition to Nadal or any other player Tsonga has disposed of over the last two weeks. And if Novak Djokovic surprises Federer?

Well, it can certainly be said that it will be the most open final the Australian Open has seen in quite a long time. The 'Aussie' open has a reputation for being the 'next star' or 'underdog' tournament. If the Frenchmen and the Serbian face each other, it might prove that reputation once again.