Novak Djokovic Defeats Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to Advance to 2012 French Open Semis

Survive and advance seems to be the name of the game for Novak Djokovic in the 2012 French Open, as he needed another late comeback, this time against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, to advance to the semifinals. 

Djokovic came out of the gate like a man on a mission, taking the first set, 6-1, and looking like the best player in the world. His momentum from that marathon match against Andreas Seppi in the fourth round appeared to be carrying over to the quarterfinals. 

After the first round, Tsonga got right back into the match. He won the next two sets, 7-5, 7-5, to put Djokovic's back to the wall for the second time in as many rounds.

Things got even more interesting in the fourth set, as Tsonga took a 6-5 lead and was on the verge of ending Djokovic's chances of winning his first French Open and completing the career Grand Slam. 

Yet somehow, some way, Djokovic was able to battle his way back to stay alive in the fourth set. That comeback alone would have taken all the energy that most players had, but as we all know, Djokovic is not like most players. He looked like his usual dominant self in the fifth and final round, 6-1. 

It took a lot longer than he would have liked, but Djokovic was able to steal victory from the jaws of defeat. He stormed back and was able to steal one more victory en route to the semifinals.

This is the second consecutive year, and fourth time in his career, that he has made it to this spot in the French Open. He is 0-3 in the previous three matches, all against either Rafael Nadal (0-2) or Roger Federer (0-1). 

This win gives Djokovic a rematch against Federer, who ended his French Open run last season with a four-set victory.

Follow @adamwells1985