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Vienna Open: semifinals are set with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga still alive

By Harry Floyd

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 30: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France returns a shot against Denis Shapovalov of Canada during their second round Men's Singles match on Day Three of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 30, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 30: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France returns a shot against Denis Shapovalov of Canada during their second round Men's Singles match on Day Three of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 30, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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Vienna Open semifinals are now set at the ATP World Tour event. The Erste Bank Open features ATP Finals hopeful Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

The 2017 Vienna Open moves into the semifinals this week without top seed Alexander Zverev. The young German tennis star drops his quarterfinals meeting with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

While it remains an outside chance, the French tennis star and current world No. 15 in men’s singles keeps hopes alive of qualifying for the ATP Finals. Action in London kicks off in just two weeks. Tsonga must compete with the likes of Juan Martin del Potro and others in order to qualify. Del Potro remains in action at the Swiss Indoors.

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Tsonga is the only seeded player remaining at the Vienna Open. Also in action is British No. 2 Kyle Edmund. The young Briton faces off against Lucas Pouille of France next.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is the 2011 champion at the Vienna Open.

Experience could be a major factor moving forward at the ATP World Tour event. Tsonga has plenty of it. He faces German veteran tennis player Philipp Kohlschreiber in the semifinals. Looking at their career head-to-head, Tsonga is 10-1 over the German tennis player.

Interestingly enough, the two last faced each other in Vienna last year. Tsonga claimed victory in straight sets despite a hard-fought first set tiebreak. Look for the French tennis star to have the edge in their next meeting at the 2017 Vienna Open.

Next: Top 10 Men's Singles Players in Open Era

Play continues on Saturday at the 2017 Vienna Open. With more than just an ATP singles title at stake, there is no doubt that players such as Tsonga will be bringing their very best to the court.

The 2017 ATP Finals are right around the corner and just two spots remain. As Stan Wawrinka is out for the remainder of the year due to injury, several players are vying for the final two spots in London. Play at both the Vienna Open and the Swiss Indoors will directly impact who qualifies for the year end tournament at the O2 Arena. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga needs to continue advancing at the tournament so long as others remain in position to qualify. Despite his career advantage, the French tennis star cannot get complacent against Kohlschreiber in the semifinals. Anything can happen on the court come Saturday. Stay tuned to see how all of the action unfolds at the Vienna Open and then in the coming weeks at the ATP Finals in London.

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