In the second round at the US Open, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga struggled against Australia's James Duckworth but in the end defeated the 24-year-old 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to progress through to the third round. South Africa's Kevin Anderson awaits the Frenchman.
Tsonga gains early break; wins set
Tsonga put the immediate pressure on James Duckworth as he chased down a drop shot which resulted in a unforced error from Duckworth to bring up a double break point. The Australian saved both break points but Tsonga came back at Duckworth and gained another break point with a lob. However, Duckworth was forced to save enough which wouldn't be enough as Tsonga would gain a fourth break point. The 24-year-old hit a forehand error which gave Tsonga the early break. He held to go 2-0 up.
The next three games were held and at 4-3, Tsonga fired a forehand wide to bring up Duckworth's first break point of the match. The 31-year-old managed to serve his way out of trouble but Duckworth gained a second break point. The 31-year-old saved another break point and went on to hold by serving an ace. Serving for the set, Tsonga reached a break point after an attempted slice from the world number 195 went long. The ninth seed won the next point and clinched the opening set, 6-4.
Duckworth battles back to level match
Duckworth started the second set much stronger than the first. He held his opening service game with ease and in the second game, he piled the pressure on Tsonga who threw in basic errors. With the score at 30-all, the Australian gained a break point. However, Tsonga's serve got him out of trouble for the time being. The Frenchman was forced to save the second point but Duckworth eventually broke at the third time of asking to go 0-2 up. Tsonga attempted to get the break back and at 30-all there was a chance.
However, Duckworth won the remaining two points and consolidated the break for a 0-3 lead. Just two games later Tsonga battled his way back and broke. Following three break point saved, the world number 11 gained the important point to gain the break back. Following a number of errors, Duckworth regained his break after chasing down a drop shot. This time, he managed to hold his serve, consolidate the break and move ahead at 2-5. With Lleyton Hewitt watching on, he closed out the set, 3-6 and levelled at one set apiece.
Tsonga regains the lead
After losing the second set, Tsonga started the second strongly wanting to make a statement. With the score at 30-15, Tsonga won the next point and gained two break points. The Australian managed to save both points impressively but at deuce, following a rally at the net, it was Tsonga who won the point and brought up his third break point chance. This time, he wasted no time in winning the point and breaking. The Frenchman fired an ace and held his serve to love to go 3-0 up. Having looked shaky in the previous set, Tsonga was looking much more alive and gained a further two break point chances. The Australian who had dealt with most break points thrown at him by Tsonga then saved all three he faced as he held serve to get on the board at 3-1.
With three games passed, Duckworth was put under intense pressure. Serving to stay in the set at 5-3, Tsonga then ran away to a love-40 lead to bring up triple set points. However, the Australian managed to battle back and save all three before firing a double-fault to gift another set point to the Frenchman. This time, the serve wasn't a problem, firing an ace to deny Tsonga. The world number 195 faced two more set points and both times he dealt with the pressure by saving the points. He eventually held and gave Tsonga the chance to win the set, which he managed to, 6-3, to take a two sets to one lead.
Tsonga grabs the late break, seals victory
After three sets filled with break points, the fourth set was anything but. Duckworth and Tsonga both got the fourth set underway by holding their own serve. The third game was the closest either player got to breaking serve early on. The Frenchman seeded ninth at the championships brought the game to deuce but Duckworth managed to win the remaining two points to go ahead at 1-2.
As the set progressed both players were holding their own serve much more comfortably than the previous three sets. With the Australian Duckworth serving at 4-4, Tsonga gained the first break points of the set at advantage, and Duckworth saved. Despite saving, the Frenchman earned another break point which he managed to take. The world number 11 then eased his way to triple match points. Two of them were saved but Tsonga won the all important point and booked his passage to the third round.