Australian Open: Tsonga through to last eight

Melbourne, Jan 21 (IANS): Seventh-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has joined fellow Frenchman Jeremy Chardy in the men’s singles quarterfinals of the Australian Open here at Melbourne Park Monday.

He beat another Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the fourth round, staying on track for a potential quarterfinal with Roger Federer, who will play against Milos Raonic of Canada later Monday, reports Xinhua.

Chardy, who stunned sixth seed Juan Martin del Potro in the second round, won through to his first Grand Slam quarterfinal after beating Italian Andreas Seppi. Chardy booked a berth in the final eight with a 5-7, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win over the 21st seed.

In five previous appearances here, Chardy had never made it further than the second round, with his former best Grand Slam effort the fourth round at the French Open back in 2008.

The World No.36 will play the winner of the fourth-round meeting between third seed Andy Murray and another Frenchman 14th seed Gilles Simon.