Gasquet upsets Tsonga in Brisbane

Jan 9, 2009 - 12:23 PM BRISBANE, Australia (Ticker) -- Seventh-seeded Richard Gasquet produced a stunning comeback against French countryman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Friday to book his place in the Brisbane International semifinals.

Gasquet was dominated in the first set by the second-seeded Tsonga, but responded brilliantly to earn a 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory.

Tsonga, the world No. 7, fired four aces and forged five break points, winning two, in the opening set as Gasquet won only 10-of-22 service points and committed a pair of double faults.

The 22-year-old Gasquet quickly reversed that trend in the second set, winning the only break point, firing two aces and winning 81 percent (21-of-26) of his service points to even the match.

The world No. 23 made quick work of Tsonga in the third, winning all nine of his first-serve points and 2-of-4 break points en route to the victory.

Gasquet will face Radek Stepanek in the final four after the eighth-seeded Czech also overcame an early deficit to record a 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 triumph over Sweden's Robin Soderling.

Saturday's other semifinal match will be between third-seeded Spaniard Fernando Verdasco France's Paul-Henri Mathieu, who both advanced on Thursday.

First prize is $77,200.