The US Open 2016 has moved into the business end, with eight players remaining in the competition. Novak Djokovic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga are two such players who are set for a huge quarterfinals clash at Flushing Meadows on Tuesday.
Top seed Djokovic is one of the favourites for the title, and is even more determined to win the last Grand Slam of the year after some poor run in the last few events, including Wimbledon and Rio Olympics. He lost in the third and opening round of the Wimbledon and Olympics, respectively.
Djokovic has not had much problems en route to the quarters; only two of his four matches were completed. His second round match against Jiri Veseley was a walkover without a single point being played while in the third round Mikhail Youzhny retired in the first set. Coming to his last match, the Serbian was in complete control of his match against Kyle Edmund, which he won in straight sets.
Though Djokovic might not have featured much on the court this US Open, he was pleased with the result against Edmund. He feels on top of his fitness ahead of the quarterfinals clash.
"Well, I'm feeling very good, to be honest. I really wanted to start the match well today because I didn't have much time on the court overall before the fourth round. I feel great at this moment physically; mentally as well I'm motivated. So coming into the second week of a Grand Slam quarterfinals feeling good, it's exactly where I want to be," US Open's official website quoted Djokovic as saying.
The world number one's victory has come against lesser-known players Jerzy Janowicz and Edmund, so this clash against Tsonga will be his first big test in the competition. Djokovic's head-to-head record against Tsonga reads 15-6 in favour of the Serbian, but the top seed is aware of the need to come with his A game against the big-serving Frenchman.
There are reasons for the Serbian to fear Tsonga, who has looked in good form throughout the competition. Before setting up a date with Djokovic, the Frenchman defeated 23rd seed Kevin Anderson and 26th seed Jack Sock in commanding fashion in the third and fourth round, respectively.
The ninth seed has shown his class in the year's last Grand Slam, playing some amazing tennis with his regular big serves. His game from the baseline has also been brilliant in the competition.
Tsonga has never managed to get past the US Open quarterfinals hurdle as he lost in the round of eight in 2011 and 2015, which remains his best finish so far at the Flushing Meadows. If he wants to break that record in the US Open, Tsonga has to play an error free game, and come up with his best all-round game to stun the top seed.
Everyone is aware of Tsonga's big serve, which he needs to use it to his advantage in the quarterfinals to have a chance of making it to his first ever US Open semifinals appearance. This could be a close-affair contest, with Djokovic being one of the best returners in the men's circuit as well.
Where to watch live
Novak Djokovic vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is the second match of the night session, and will be played after women's singles clash between Carolina Wozniacki and Anastasija Sevastova, which starts at 7 pm local time (4:30 am IST, 12 am BST).
India: TV: Ten 1/HD. Live Streaming: Tensports live.
International: Live Streaming: US Open website.
US: TV: ESPN. Live Streaming: Watch ESPN.
Europe: TV: EuroSport. Live Streaming: EuroSport Player.
Canada: TV: TSN. Live Streaming: TSN TV.
Australia: TV: Fox Sports. Live Streaming: Foxtel.
Middle East: TV: Bein Sports Arabia. Live Streaming: Bein Sports Connect.
