TENNIS in DEPTH.

After splitting two close tie-breaker sets, Novak Djokovic looked to finding his way into the semi final as he dominated the third set 6-1. He rested between sets and consumed an energy bar, drank some electrolytic fluids, followed by copious amounts of water, when the colour visible drained from his face. He was pale and obviously on the verge of regurgitating all or some of his ‘snack’, but took to the court to try to compete. He rushed to the bathroom for a medical time out after a couple of games but never regained his form. He lost the next two sets 6-3, 6-1. Tsonga will move into the semi final against Roger Federer.

The match highlighted the defensive skills of both players, but had it not been for Djokovic’s stomach issue it was evident that he was the superior player on the court.

Federer must be grinning from ear to ear at the prospect of meeting Tsonga instead of Djokovic.

The world No.3, who also retired from his quarter-final against Andy Roddick last year, had been in line to claim the world No.1 spot had results gone his way in Melbourne.

A second Australian Open title, twinned with defeat for Roger Federer ahead of the semi-finals, would have seen him reach the summit of the men’s rankings on Monday.

Instead, the Serb could only try and delay the inevitable in the closing stages as Tsonga powered past him and into the final four.

“It’s going to be tough because he’s the best player ever,” said Tsonga on the prospect of playing Federer, who he has beaten in one of their two previous meetings.

“I was in good shape,” said the Frenchman when asked how he felt physically. “Maybe a little bit better than him [Djokovic]!”

Asked about whether he had been aware of Djokovic’s state of health, he added: “I saw he was not very good, but sometimes, you know, he do that and he win.”

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