PARIS (AP) – Stan Wawrinka advanced to his first final at the French Open after beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 6-7 (1), 7-6 (3), 6-4 on Friday.
In sizzling temperatures, Wawrinka overcame strong resistance from the 14th-seeded Tsonga in a gripping match on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Wawrinka’s ability to raise his game when it really mattered was the key, with the 2014 Australian Open champion saving 16 of the 17 break points he faced.
The eighth-seeded Swiss player also fired 15 aces and hit 60 winners to progress to his second final at a Grand Slam tournament.
Wawrinka, who beat Roger Federer in the quarterfinals, will either face top-ranked Novak Djokovic or third-seeded Andy Murray in Sunday’s final.