Jo-Wilfried Tsonga impressed with Britain ahead of Davis Cup clash
Wednesday 15 July 2015 17:42, UK
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has been impressed by the strides made by Great Britain and is expecting a difficult time in France's Davis Cup quarter-final.
For the sixth consecutive year, talent-laden France are through to the World Group quarter-finals - a stage they have only failed to make once since 2001.
They have won the Davis Cup nine times and are joint-third in the all-time list alongside this weekend's opponents, although Britain have not triumphed since 1936.
This weekend's clash at Queen's Club offers the Andy Murray-inspired British team the chance to reach the World Group semi-finals for the first time since 1981, and Tsonga knows it will not be easy for France.
"They have improved a lot," the 30-year-old, ranked 12th in the world, said. "I think Andy is a good guy to bring in all the other guys to a good level.
"Today they have a great team. He has got his brother (Jamie Murray), he has James Ward and a few other guys.
"They play good tennis, they play at home, so for sure they will be a good team."
Amongst those joining Tsonga in the French team is Gilles Simon, ranked 11th in the world, and Wimbledon semi-finalist Richard Gasquet.
The former downplayed a slip in training on Wednesday, saying with a smile he was in "great shape", and Gasquet says he is feeling good despite only finishing up at Wimbledon on Friday.
"I stopped three days playing tennis," he said. "I started again yesterday and I am feeling great.
"I like to play on grass, I played well and of course I am in great shape now. I will be ready for the weekend.
"I don't need to play so much, I just need to be fit for the match if I have to play.
"The court is new, it is a little bit better than the second week of Wimbledon, of course," Gasquet added.
"But it is still grass so it is still the same court for me. It is not a big thing to play here or Wimbledon. It's quite the same."
