2019 Halle Open – Roger Federer vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Roger Federer vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga taking place? Gerry Weber Stadion, Halle
When is Roger Federer vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on and what time does it start? Thursday 20th June, 2019 – (not before) 16:30 (UK)
What is the expected weather for Roger Federer vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga? Cloudy, 27c
What channel is Roger Federer vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on? This match will not be televised live in the UK
Where can I stream Roger Federer vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga? This match cannot be streamed live in the UK
Where can I get tickets for Roger Federer vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga? https://www.gerryweber-open.de/en/tickets/gerry-weber-open-2019/
THE LOWDOWN
HEAD-TO-HEAD
All-time meetings: Roger Federer 11-6 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Last meeting: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beat Roger Federer 3-6, 6-2, 7-5
ROGER FEDERER
- Roger Federer's first grass-court match this year saw him defeat 2018 US Open conqueror John Millman 7-6, 6-3 in what was a testing opener but the 37-year-old ultimately had too much class in the key moments for his Australian opponent.
- The Swiss maestro will be seeking a staggering tenth title in Halle and it has traditionally served as a good indicator of his chances at Wimbledon, with success at SW19 right at the top of his agenda once more.
- Although Federer has lost to Tsonga in their last two meetings, the pair have only met twice in five years and the 20-time Grand Slam champion has an 11-6 lead over the Frenchman when it comes to all-time meetings.
JO-WILFRIED TSONGA
- Crowd-favourite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga defeated compatriot Benoit Paire 6-4, 7-5 in the first round on Tuesday in a contest which marked his first appearance at Halle since 2009.
- Tsonga reached the second round of the Mercedes Cup last week where he lost narrowly to Milos Raonic so he will have adapted to this surface by now as he takes on one of the greatest ever on grass.
- There are a couple of statistics which will give the Frenchman hope here, as aside from winning their last two encounters, Tsonga was also victorious in their only previous meeting on grass - a five-set win back in 2011 at Wimbledon.
THE PREDICTION
Two hugely popular players do battle in the second round at Halle and the crowd should be in for an entertaining match if some of their previous matches are anything to go by. Although it was eight years ago, Federer's 2011 defeat to Tsonga at Wimbldeon - having won the first two sets - may be in the back of his mind here but that will only serve as fuel to the fire so we can expect a motivated world number three here. Tsonga has slipped down the rankings in recent years due to loss of form and injury so we are unlikely to witness another surprise in this one.
