Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) - Rafael Nadal (ESP)

After a semi-final Grand Slam revised and corrected by the director of Godzilla, Indian Wells offers the second part of the adventures of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Rafael "Rambo" Nadal is not dead and goes back to the court to challenge the new terror of the circuit. The trailer is a caricature, but certainly the poster deserves the attention of all. A month and a half after his outstanding performance, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will be able to reassess his tennis. Rafael Nadal has not started well this season. Its losses, some tough times, before Mikhail Youzhny (Chennaï), Andreas Seppi (Rotterdam), Andy Roddick (Dubai), have betrayed a less intense physical commitment on the part of the Majorcan. It also plays shorter now and the other players are less afraid of its counters. The memorable Tsonga beating him imposed on Melbourne (6-2, 6-3, 6-2) needs to be reviewed from this perspective. "In Australia, he had control of the ball all the time. I will try not to repeat the same scenario," he explained Monday. A bout of strength at the end of 2007, forced to modify its ongoing support, we must face the facts: after three years of tennis we must calm the horses, reduce and manage the sailing calendar. "I have the opportunity to show that Australia was not lucky" Tsonga was indicative of this new attitude. He supported strong here, saying hit where it hurts. The Spaniard knows he will have to defend a number of points senseless this spring on clay (titles in Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Rome and Roland Garros, and a final in Hamburg), but mostly he knows what state he tackled the second half last year. His "medium level of play" remains strong enough to stay on top. He does not put them immune to the onslaught of players in shape. Roger Federer facing the same problem even if it has been less and better anticipated. Summing up the situation, one feels rather borrowed Nadal, on the reserve. It has not yet delivered one battle, which he has the secret. Why then did he react vigorously if Indian Wells had not done at the first Grand Slam? Because he must defend his title. Because it is "arrogant", launches Tsonga. "He likes challenges." The challenge of Nadal will be to forget its mine déconfite after the semi-finals in Melbourne: "It is in the best moment of his career, he has no pressure, everything is working. I think this is perhaps be not her real level. play like that every week, it is impossible. going to lose it with humility. " Tsonga also knows what he has to do: "I have the opportunity to show that Australia was not good luck. Very good. Me to be motivated to be at the top. Ma Quality is not pure tennis. But I win a lot of matches with the motivation. I also play with the public. I know that I can impress my opponent. " Its first two matches at Indian Wells confirmed its ambitions and the quality of his tennis. Jo still plays top 10, and better, has the confidence of a top 10: "In my head, the favorite c'est moi." It is a first step in the voluntary court. Nadal will there so much?