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Live Commentary: French Open: David Ferrer vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - as it happened

Sports Mole provides live text coverage of the French Open semi-final between David Ferrer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
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David Ferrer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga took to court on Friday evening in the semi-finals of the French Open.

Defending champion Rafael Nadal awaited the victor, after the seven-time winner overcame Novak Djokovic in five sets earlier in the day.

Find out how the match unfolded below with Sports Mole's blow-by-blow coverage.


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If this match is half as good as the one that has just finished then we are in for a treat.

Neither player has yet lost a set in this year's championships. Ferrer, who is seeded fourth, has beaten Marinko Matosevic, Albert Montanes, Feliciano Lopez, Kevin Anderson and Tommy Robredo.

Meanwhile, French number one and home favourite Tsonga has dispatched Aljaz Bedene, Jarkko Nieminen, Jeremy Chardy, Viktor Troicki and Roger Federer.

Ferrer has won the toss and elected to serve first. Here we go...

Shaky start from Ferrer, but the Spaniard gets the opening game on the board, as he fights back from 0-30 to hold to 40.

BREAK POINT: An early chance for Ferrer to take command of the opening set arises. Tsonga again squanders a 30-0 lead. He can count himself a little unlucky, though, as a dead net cord goes in his opponent's favour.

FERRER BREAKS: Court Philippe Chatrier has been quickly subdued. Their local hero trails 2-0.

Ferrer holds to 15.

These two players have met on three previous occasions. Tsonga won in three sets at Wimbledon in 2011, but Ferrer won in straight sets on Rome clay in 2010 and Paris carpet in 2012.

Tsonga is really struggling with his first serves - he has only made 40% so far - which is a worry for the Frenchman as they were one of the main qualities that helped him overcome Federer earlier this week. 15-15 on the serve of JWT.

FERRER BREAKS: This set is effectively over already as Ferrer breaks to 30. Tsonga needs to settle down before the start of the next. He looks full of adrenaline.

BREAK POINT: Tsonga relaxes and casually powers his way to advantage.

It's not to be for the Frenchman, as Ferrer remains solid and extracts the errors to hold.

Tsonga SURVIVES THREE SETS POINTS and holds to 40. At least, if Ferrer now holds, the Frenchman will serve first in set two.

Maybe not... Ferrer kicks off game seven with a double fault and Tsonga then makes it 0-30 with a crisp forehand volley at the net.

CORRECTION: Excuse me, Tsonga's volley has been called just long. 15-15.

FIRST SET FERRER: A nightmare set for Tsonga comes to an end as Ferrer holds to 15.

The first set lasted 33 minutes. During that time, Tsonga made just 12 of 24 first serves. Furthermore, he lost 50% of those 12 points and won just five of 12 behind his second serve.

Tsonga holds to 30. He is still serving at just 50%, but, on this occasion, he is able to get the job done behind his second serve.

Ferrer double-faults again at the start of a service game. Once more, Tsonga unleashes a huge forehand on the following point. This time, it is called good. 0-30.

THREE BREAK POINTS: Ferrer blasts a long backhand and Court Philippe Chatrier gets a little bit exited. 0-40.

TSONGA BREAKS: This is more like it from the sixth seed, who approaches the net and batters a volley down the line to break to love.

Tsonga holds to 15.

Ferrer responds in kind, but Tsonga is looking a lot calmer now.

BREAK POINT: At 30-30, Tsonga misses by a mile from the back of the court. I think he may have broken a string.

FERRER BREAKS: Tsonga looks very annoyed as his deep forehand drive is called out. The umpire takes a look and agrees with his line judge. Second set is back on serve.

Ferrer holds to 15 and levels up the set. The Spaniard has now won three games without reply.

TWO BREAK POINTS: Tsonga's game is a mess right now, as makes his 26th and 27th unforced errors. 15-40.

SAVED: A huge first serve takes care of the first break point before a stunning cross court forehand deals with the other. 40-40.

BREAK POINT: Tsonga's relief is short lived. Unforced error number 28 hands another chance to his opponent.

FERRER BREAKS: Tsonga comes up with a horrible double-fault to gift Ferrer his fourth break of the evening.

THREE BREAK POINTS: Tsonga responds in the best possible manner and earns himself three chances to restore parity straight away.

TSONGA BREAKS: Ferrer nets with a difficult baseline return. Tsonga punches the air, while the Spaniard puts his head in his hands.

Tsonga, who had lost his last two service games, holds to 15. Ferrer must now serve to stay in the set.

0-15 ahead, Tsonga calls the umpire to inspect a ball mark made by Ferrer's deep forehand drive. Tsonga is adamant it was out, but his argument falls on deaf ears. 15-15.

SET POINT: Two stunning winners - a backhand down the line and a piercing cross-court forehand - give Tsonga break point.

Ferrer saves the set point. Farce then ensues as Ferrer's next serve is called out. Tsonga says it was in, but the umpire, who is Britain's Anne Keothavong, overrules. 40-40 second serve.

Ferrer holds to 40.

Massive game for Tsonga, who, with some of the most daring tennis you will see, SAVES FOUR BREAK POINTS before holding to 40.

Ferrer holds to 15 to set up a second-set tie-break.

Second-set tie-break: Ferrer *1-0 Tsonga. The Spaniard secures an immediate mini-break as Tsonga fires long.

Second-set tie-break: Ferrer *2-0 Tsonga.

Second-set tie-break: Ferrer 3-0* Tsonga.

Second-set tie-break: Ferrer 4-0* Tsonga. Ferrer, who is yet to lose at set at Roland Garros this year, had not even been involved in a tie-break during the tournament. However, his lack of recent experience is not hindering him here. He's cruising towards a two-set lead.

Second-set tie-break: Ferrer *4-1 Tsonga.

Second-set tie-break: Ferrer *5-1 Tsonga.

Second-set tie-break: Ferrer 6-1* Tsonga. FIVE SET POINTS...

Second-set tie-break: Ferrer 6-2* Tsonga.

Second-set tie-break: Ferrer *6-3 Tsonga.

SECOND SET FERRER: tie-break score: 7-3.

Ferrer holds to 30. Tsonga had chances in that game, but the Frenchman is making too many errors. He will be very frustrated because he is two sets down and Ferrer is only operating in third gear here. The Spaniard's solidity has been enough.

Tsonga holds to 40.

The Ferrer serve comes under pressure as Tsonga bludgeons his way to 15-30. However, the Spaniard then soaks up the errors once again and holds to 30.

TWO BREAK POINTS: Brilliant by Ferrer on this occasion, as he comes out on top in a scintillating four-stroke net exchange.

FERRER BREAKS: Tsonga produces two huge first serves to take the game to deuce. Ferrer then cracks a glorious cross-court return to bring about a third break point, which is converted in style.

Another easy service game for Ferrer, who holds to 15. The Spaniard now looks almost certain to win this in straight sets, which means that the match will beat the fading sunlight and finish this evening.

Ferrer has never previously made a Grand Slam final, despite reaching six semis. The 31-year-old is very close to abolishing that statistic. However, he has been known to choke at critical moments. I can't see that happening today though.

Tsonga holds to 30.

Ferrer is just one game away from the final after holding to 30. Court Philippe Chatrier is flat, as was the bounce on the baseline that bamboozled Tsonga on game point.

MATCH POINT FERRER: From 30-15, the Spaniard wins three consecutive points - as Tsonga double faults then commits two further errors - to set up match point.

GAME SET AND MATCH FERRER: Tsonga misses long and Ferrer converts at the first time of asking. The Spanish number two, who is yet to lose a set this week, will now face compatriot Rafael Nadal on Sunday in his first ever Grand Slam final. Vamos! Good night.

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