Djokovic, to meet Federer in semis

PARIS — Four times, the stands at Roland Garros were ready to erupt, a beloved Frenchman standing one point from beating the world’s top player and ending his quest for history.

Four times, Novak Djokovic had an answer for Jo- Wilfried Tsonga.

And so, instead of Tsonga Time at the French Open, Djokovic is still on the road to the “Novak Slam.”

Top- seeded Djokovic overcame four match points, to say nothing of the wildly partisan crowd, for a 6- 1, 5- 7, 5- 7, 7- 6 ( 6), 6- 1 victory over Tsonga that ended near twilight Tuesday in front of drizzlesoaked stands that had quickly emptied after the match points vanished and the final set had become academic.

“It was incredible from the start,” Djokovic said.

“I played really well for a set and a break up. The crowd supported Jo. He started playing really well. It was really difficult to stay focused but I was believing maybe I could have my chances. He was playing really aggressive. If he would have won today, he would have been a well- deserved winner.”

It was the end to a remarkable day of tennis that also included third- seeded Roger Federer’s comeback from two sets down for a 3- 6, 6- 7 ( 4), 6- 2, 6- 0, 6- 3 win over No. 9 seed Juan Martin del Potro.

It was Federer’s seventh career rally from down two sets to love.

“Well, I’m very disappointed for Jo,” Federer said.

“I would have loved to play him here in Paris. I have a feeling that the crowd would have loved to see such a match. For him, it’s a disappointment. As for me, it’s nothing different as from last year. I’m playing Djokovic in the semifinal.”

Djokovic’s last Grand Slam loss came to Federer in that semifinal last year — a defeat that ended the Serb’s 43- match winning streak.

Earlier in the day, in the women’s quarter- finals, No. 6 Samantha Stosur defeated No. 15 Dominika Cibulkova 6- 4, 6- 1 and No. 21 Sara Errani made her first Grand Slam semifinal with a 6- 3, 7- 6 ( 2) victory over 10th- seeded Angelique Kerber.