French Open: Ferrer proves too strong for listless Tsonga

The set went into a tie-breaker when Ferrer held easily in the twelfth game. Playing an impressive brand of attacking tennis, Ferrer drew first blood to take a 3-0 lead. Just as the shadows lengthened, Tsonga found himself mired in the clouds at 1-6. The Frenchman saved the first two set points on his serve, but could only delay Ferrer, not deny him. The Spaniard clinched a two set lead with yet another delightful drop shot that left Tsonga stranded at the back of the court.

The match took decisive shape when Ferrer thumped an angled forehand return winner to set up break point in the fourth game of the third set. Tsonga dumped a forehand in the net on the next point to offer a 3-1 lead to the dominant Spaniard. Ferrer is an old hand at keeping things steady. With virtually a leg in the first Grand Slam final of his career, he did just that, by playing the percentages.

When Ferrer held to take a 5-2 lead, Tsonga was forced to deal with the precipitous task of serving to stay in the match. The Frenchman found the task too hot to handle – making a double fault at 40-15 to exhibit his nerves. Ferrer slapped a stinging forehand down the line winner at deuce to earn his first match point. Tsonga ended his own misery, when he flailed a forehand cross court long to leave Ferrer sinking into the dirt in delirious joy.

In the end it was about two men, who had an equal collection of demons to deal with even as opportunity stared them in their faces. It was Ferrer who proved to be the better prepared of the two in dealing with the occasion to exorcise the ghosts inhabiting their weighty careers. Tsonga will have proven to himself that he has what it takes to tide a step further, but will have to wait out his opportunity.

Meanwhile, Ferrer can deal with the recovery and preparation for his mind numbing encounter with a familiar titan. Nadal has an intimidating 20-5 edge over his compatriot, including comprehensive victories in their previous six matches.

Ferrer will be well served to pursue the subdued aggression that delivered him such stunning results against Tsonga in the semis. However, unlike Tsonga, who made 55 unforced errors, he can expect no such charity from his formidable opponent on Sunday.