Nadal and Tsonga set for Melbourne rematch at Indian Wells
Tuesday, 18 Mar 2008 09:01
Rafael Nadal to play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Pacific Life Open fourth round
Rafael Nadal will lock horns with his Australian Open conqueror Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the Pacific Life Open after both players progressed to the fourth round.
World number two Nadal, beaten in the semi-final at Melbourne by Tsonga, comfortably overcame 18-year-old wildcard David Young 6-1 6-3.
France's Tsonga meanwhile beat countryman Paul-Henri Mathieu 7-6 (7/5) 6-4 to set up the Nadal clash at Indian Wells.
On the chance to avenge his Australian Open exit, Nadal said the fourth-round match would be a close contest.
"It's going to be important for me to serve well," the Spaniard said.
"He's strong in his serve. From the baseline I must try to play a little bit more aggressive than in Australia."
Elsewhere at Indian Wells, Melbourne champion Novak Djokovic beat Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany 6-3 6-2, while South Korea's Lee Hyung-taik won an epic three-set match with world number five David Ferrer.
World number one Roger Federer has already qualified for the fourth round after beating Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-3 6-2 yesterday.