LONDON — Whatever Rafael Nadal tried to throw at Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Thursday, it seemed the Frenchman was always one step ahead of him. Now Nadal is hoping he hasn’t lost his passion for the game.
Tsonga qualified for the semifinals of the ATP World Tour Finals at the expense of Nadal, beating the second-ranked Spaniard 7-6 (2), 4-6, 6-3 in a decisive round-robin match to join Roger Federer in the last four in the season-ending tournament.
Nadal — who suffered his worst loss ever to Federer in a 6-3, 6-0 defeat Tuesday — then acknowledged his motivation and desire has been lacking since losing the U.S. Open final to Novak Djokovic in September. Nadal hasn’t won a title since then, losing his only final to Andy Murray in Tokyo.
“I was little bit less passionate for the game probably because I was a little bit more tired than usual,” Nadal said. “To compete I wasn’t in the right way.”
Against Tsonga these days, you need to be.
The tall Frenchman used his powerful ground strokes to dictate play against Nadal, and tried to speed up rallies by using a serve-and-volley approach that the Spaniard struggled to counter.
“Jo knows where I hit every ball during the point,” Nadal said. “I didn’t have a surprise shot during all the match. So that’s very difficult at this level.”
Nadal said he still plans to play in the Davis Cup final against Argentina in December — an event that usually brings out the best in him and gives him a chance to end 2011 on a high note.
Federer beat Mardy Fish 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 to finish the group stage 3-0. David Ferrer also has qualified for the semifinals from Group A, with top-ranked Djokovic and Tomas Berdych in contention for the last spot going into the final group matches today.
Yankees retain pitcher Garcia
NEW YORK — The New York Yankees and pitcher Freddy Garcia agreed on a one-year contract worth about $5 million.
With Garcia, who was 12-8 with a 3.62 ERA in 26 games (25 starts) in 2011, on board, the Yankees can be more discriminating as they pursue upgrades to their starting rotation — C.J. Wilson, Mark Buehrle and Edwin Jackson are among the high-profile free agents who interest them.
Bowditch, Choi take Australian PGA lead
COOLUM, Australia — Steven Bowditch and Choi Joon-woo shot rounds of 6-under-par 66 to take a one-stroke lead after the first day of the Australian PGA and outshine a strong field that includes British Open champion Darren Clarke (69) and Americans Bubba Watson (67) and Rickie Fowler (69).
• The Australian team of Richard Green and Brendon Jones took the lead in the first round of the World Cup after shooting an 11-under 61 in Haikou, China, finishing two strokes ahead of tournament favorites Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell of the Ireland team. Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland of the United States are tied for fourth at 64.
• Steven O’Hara and local favorite Jbe Kruger shot 7-under 65s to share the lead after the first round of the South African Open in Johannesburg.
Denver Post wire services
