2012 U.S. Open Player Previews: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

New Yorkers respect toughness and revere charisma. Combine the two and fans elevate the endeared to rock-star status: Mickey Mantle, Joe Namath, Mark Messier, Walt "Clyde" Frazier. Tsonga is so tough he recently ran into a fire hydrant in Toronto and suffered stitches (you should see the hydrant). The key component missing from Tsonga’s resume are titles. He’s won just one this season and only eight overall. The thickly muscled Tsonga doesn’t move as well as the Top 4 and his backhand, particularly on the pass, is not a weapon. But the athletic Frenchman is one of the few players who can serve and volley, and he can dictate play with his first serve and forehand. While he hasn’t had much success against former Open champions Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin del Potro, if Tsonga can play points on his terms, he is a threat.

Why He’ll Win:

The Frenchman’s explosive game and effusive personality play well on the game’s fastest and largest Grand Slam stage. Tsonga has reached at least the quarterfinals in four of his last five majors.

Why He Won’t:

The top three seeds all match up well agasinst Tsonga: Federer is 8-4 versus the Frenchman, Djokovic has won their last five meetings and Murray is 6-1 lifetime against him.

Bottom Line:

The top three seeds and del Potro have had his number, but if Tsonga’s first serve is clicking and he’s imposing his all-court aggression, he is an absolute threat to go deep into the second week.

More U.S. Open Player Previews:

**Roger Federer

Novak Djokovic

Andy Murray

David Ferrer

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Juan Martin del Potro**

**Victoria Azarenka

Agnieszka Radwanska

Maria Sharapova

Serena Williams

Petra Kvitova

Samantha Stosur**