There was at least one person at the Brisbane International not shocked by top seed Novak Djokovic’s first round departure – his budding rival Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Not that the exciting Frenchman was revelling in his 2008 Australian Open final conqueror’s misfortune.
The pair have carved out an intriguing new rivalry in men’s tennis since their thrilling four set showdown at Melbourne last year.
Djokovic may be the world No.3 and planning for his Australian Open title defence.
But world No.7 Tsonga holds the upper hand over the Serb after winning their last three meetings.
However, Tsonga was not dancing on Djokovic’s Brisbane International grave when he admitted he was hardly surprised by little known Latvian Ernests Gulbis’ 6-4 6-4 boilover.
After clinching a 6-2 7-5 first round win over Argentine Agustin Calleri on Tuesday night, Tsonga tipped world No.53 Gulbis to burst onto the world scene in 2009 just as he did in 2008.
“For me it was not really a surprise. He is going to be the man who is going to make a surprise this year,” Tsonga said.
“Every match he played better and better. For me it was not a surprise to see this result.”
Gulbis had a breakthrough 2008, advancing to his first grand slam quarterfinal at the French Open before being downed by none other than Djokovic.
Organisers may have been breathing easier after their second seed did not follow Djokovic’s lead on Tuesday, but Tsonga was hardly taking anything for granted despite the departure of his rival.
On his Brisbane International prospects, Tsonga cheekily quipped: “I am more of a chance than Novak to win this tournament”.
Not that Tsonga has avoided Djokovic for long – they are again on a collision course at next week’s Sydney International after the Serb snapped up a wildcard on Tuesday.
Tsonga cruised to take the first set 6-2 in 35 minutes against Calleri but quickly realised he would not have it all his own way in the second.
He was broken in the third game but returned the favour in the sixth.
The Frenchman clearly subscribed to the “quick game’s a good game” philosophy after watching Djokovic sensationally being bounced out.
But his rusty form appeared to sabotage his initial attempts to close out the match.
Tsonga screamed in frustration after he squandered a break point in the eighth game of the second set.
And he looked in trouble down 0-30 in the 11th but his booming serve got him out of jail.
In the 12th game it was Calleri’s turn to implode.
Up 40-0, Calleri looked to force the second set into a tiebreak before inexplicably committing five unforced errors to hand the match to Tsonga on a platter.
Crowd favourite Tsonga takes on Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen on Wednesday.
Australia’s last man standing at the Brisbane event, Victoria’s Joe Sirianni, has bowed out in the opening round 7-5 6-7 2-6 to Frenchman Michael Llodra.
Results from Brisbane International today
Men Round 1
2-Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) bt Agustin Calleri (ARG) 6-2 7-5
Michael Llodra (FRA) bt Joseph Sirianni (AUS) 5-7 7-6(3) 6-2
Kei Nishikori (JPN) bt Bobby Reynolds (USA) 6-3 6-2
Mario Ancic (CRO) bt Amer Delic (USA) 7-6(2) 6-7(4) 7-6(6)
Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) bt Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS) 6-3 6-3
Ernests Gulbis (LAT) bt 1-Novak Djokovic (SRB) 6-4 6-4
Florent Serra (FRA) bt Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) 6-3 7-6(3)
5-Tomas Berdych (CZE) bt Brydan Klein (AUS) 6-0 6-4
Round 2
4-Robin Soderling (SWE) bt Julien Benneteau (FRA) 6-3 6-3
Women Round 2
Lucie Safarova (CZE) bt Samantha Stosur (AUS) 6-4 6-4
3-Marion Bartoli (FRA) bt Melinda Czink (HUN) 5-7 6-3 6-1
2-Victoria Azarenka (BLR) bt Jarmila Gajdosova (SVK) 7-6(4) 7-5
Tathiana Garbin (ITA) bt Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) 4-6 6-4 6-2
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