Jo-Wilfried Tsonga takes on Gilles Simon this afternoon in the quarter-finals of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters (14:30 BST start).Tsonga booked his place in the quarter-finals on Thursday, setting up this all-French quarter-final clash with Simon by recording a solid 7-6 6-2 win over Spain’s Fernando Verdasco.
Looking ahead to what should be a thrilling game, Tsonga said on Thursday: "We do know each other, but it's going to be tight because both of us will want to win. I believe it's going to be an electrifying match."
And the world No. 5 added: "I'm always hungry for victories. I always go on the court wanting to win. Sometimes people are shocked when I say, 'If I come to this tournament, it's because I want to try to go to the end of the tournament.' But I think it's important."
Simon, who defeated Janko Tipsarevic 6-0 4-6 6-1 in the last sixteen, is also expecting a tough match.
"I know his game can be extremely bothersome on clay, like on any other surface, for that matter," he said.
"I will have to hang in there, show him I'm always there, and that he can't have a letdown at any moment because then I will be back."
Simon won his only previous clay court meeting with Tsonga, but has lost to him four times in a row since. This should be a great clash, with Tsonga entering as a slight favourite.
Prediction: Tsonga in three.