PARIS — Novak Djokovic prevailed in a five-set thriller Tuesday in the French Open quarterfinals, clawing past plucky local favorite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
The world No. 1 was taken to the brink in the fourth set, saving multiple match points en route to an 8-6 tiebreaker. It took more than four hours, but the Serbian reached the final four with a 6-1, 5-7, 5-7, 7-6 (8-6), 6-1 win over the fifth-seeded Frenchman.
Djokovic, a winner of four of the past five Grand Slam events, will now continue his bid for his first title at Roland Garros with a semifinal matchup against Roger Federer, who stormed back from a two-set deficit to beat back a challenge from Juan Martin del Potro.
Djokovic is also bidding for the “Novak Slam,” having won the past three Grand Slam events.
Federer, the third seed, kept alive his run at a second French Open title with a 3-6, 6-7 (4-7), 6-2, 6-0, 6-3 triumph, advancing to a record-tying 31st Grand Slam semifinal.
The Argentine ninth seed was clearly hampered by a heavily wrapped left knee. Federer applauded his opponent’s effort after the match, saying he “fought like a hero” despite obvious discomfort.
Del Potro, who has battled through injuries since a 2009 US Open title, said recently his knee is a “constant bother” and requires treatment between matches.
The 30-year-old Federer is looking to add to his record of 16 Grand Slam titles, having failed to win a major since the 2010 Australian Open.