Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has booked his spot in the quarter-finals of the US Open with a 6-4 6-3 6-4 victory over fellow Frenchman Benoit Paire.
It is the first time since 2011 that the 30-year-old has made the last-eight stage at Flushing Meadows and he will now face the reigning champion Marin Cilic in the next round after the Croatian beat Jeremy Chardy.
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A tight opener brought just one break of serve, with Tsonga doing the damage at 4-5 to move one set ahead after just 38 minutes of tennis.
Paire showed his quality for spells of the second set, but again it was the story of one break of serve, and that occurred at 2-3 as Tsonga once again took control. Paire did respond with a hold, but Tsonga served it out 6-3 to move into a strong position in the match.
The third set was equally as tight as both players held their opening four games for 4-4, but a strong ninth game for Tsonga secured yet another break, before the right-hander served it out to secure the three-set win.
As for Paire, his spot in the fourth round of the US Open represents his best-ever performance at a Grand Slam.
Matt Law
