PARIS — In a match dented by collapses of all sorts, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga managed to fall to the ground in joy in the end.
Tsonga, seeded 14th at his country’s biggest tournament, survived a comeback bid by fifth-seeded Kei Nishikori to win, 6-1, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3, in the French Open quarterfinals Tuesday night.
After the 3-hour, 45-minute match, Tsonga saluted the fans by writing “ROLAND JE T’AIME” in the clay. He spelled out most of the phrase by dragging his shoe through the dirt, then sank to the ground and spread his arms wide to make the T, completing his “I love you” to the roaring Roland Garros crowd.