Djokovic has ‘less aura’ than rival giants

WORLD No 1 Novak Djokovic still has some way to go before he can boast the same aura Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal have on the circuit, according to Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Tsonga, one of the few players with a positive head-to-head record against Djokovic, will face the Serb in the quarter-finals of the Paris Masters with nothing to lose after already clinching his place in the ATP World Tour finals in London.

“For the moment he has less aura than Roger and Rafa,” said Tsonga, who has a 5-4 record against Djokovic and has never lost indoors against him, after a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Italy’s Andreas Seppi.

“[He has less aura] because of the number of victories in grand slams, but also the others were at the top for many years, even if Novak had a very good year this year. So he’s quite far from what the others achieved. His career is not as complete and his position on the tour is not as historical.”

Tsonga said he is relishing another clash with Djokovic, who he beat on the way to winning the Paris Masters title in 2008. “Whatever happens, he plays great. When I’m on that court, I have nothing to lose against him,” the sixth seed said. “That way I’m thinking when I go on to the court against him he has more to lose than I do. So I always go to try to play my best tennis, and I’m sure it is the reason why every time I play against him I play my best tennis.”

Before Tsonga’s match Djokovic ran into a spot of bother before seeing off his Davis Cup team-mate, Viktor Troicki, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 to secure his place in the quarter-finals.

Djokovic’s phenomenal performance in winning three grand slam and five Masters titles this season seemed to be a distant memory as he found himself trailing following an unusual string of unforced errors.

“It’s only my second indoors event after December last year, so I’m still kind of getting used to the conditions,” said Djokovic. “But I’m happy with the way things are progressing and game-wise. Health-wise I think I could be a little better,” he added, referring to his recent shoulder problems.

Troicki failed to seize his chance in the second set as Djokovic saved seven break points, converting his only two opportunities to level the tie.

Djokovic stepped up a gear in the final set while a demoralised Troicki collapsed and dropped serve three times.

Federer, meanwhile, shone in a 6-2, 6-4 defeat of local favourite Richard Gasquet in an entertaining match featuring a handful of spectacular shots from both players.

“I like playing against Richard. He is a very good player, who always has several stunning shots in his bag,” the Swiss third seed said courtside.

Fourth seed David Ferrer also advanced with a clinical 6-3, 6-2 defeat of Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov to set up a meeting with either American John Isner or Spaniard Feliciano Lopez.