Tennis
Tsonga: I can win Aus Open
2008-12-23 16:38
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Paris - Rising French player Jo-Wilfried Tsonga believes he can go one better at the Australian Open next month and win his first Grand Slam title.
The 23-year-old from Le Mans exploded on to the scene in Melbourne at the start of the year when he reached the final as an unseeded player defeating Rafael Nadal in straight sets in the semi-finals.
He then lost to Novak Djokovic in a closely-fought title match setting the stage for a breakthrough year that saw him rise to sixth place in the world rankings.
"I will go into the Australian Open as one of the possible winners. I am sure of that," Tsonga said.
"The Grand Slam tournaments are what it is all about. I can't wait to get down there and get on with it.
"I am very ambitious for next year and Melbourne will be crucial to what follows. If I can get a good result, I will be well-placed to climb even higher."
Tsonga, who has a history of injuries, said he was "three-quarters" ready with his physical preparation and that he had "never felt better."
He gets his season underway at the Sydney ATP tournament on January 5 with the Australian Open starting on January 19.