Left: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, of France, reacts to a point win as he plays Spain's Rafael Nadal in a men's singles semi-final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament, in Melbourne, Australia, yesterday. Tsonga crushed Nadal 6-2, 6-3, 6-2. Right: Russia's Maria Sharapova celebrates after beating Serbia's Jelena Jankovic in their women's semi-final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament, in Melbourne, yesterday. Sharapova won 6-3, 6-1. - AP Photos

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP):

Rafael Nadal found out what Australian Open fans already knew: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is for real.

Tsonga, who won over the crowds with a contagious smile and a go-for-broke style, claimed his biggest victim yet yesterday, dominating second-ranked Nadal in a 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 victory that carried Tsonga to his first Grand Slam final.

Feeding off the crowd's energy, the 38th-ranked Tsonga thrived under pressure, producing what he called his best performance ever.

"It's unbelievable, just amazing,'' the Frenchman said. "Nothing can stop me today. It's like a dream, I can't believe it's true. I was moving on the court like never I move. Everything was perfect."

No arguments there.

"I was playing fine,'' Nadal said. "He played unbelievable. I congratulate him.''

Tsonga, who beat three top-12 players earlier in the tournament, had never gone beyond the fourth round in his four previous Grand Slams. Now, he will play the winner of today's semifinal between top-ranked Roger Federer and number-three Novak Djokovic.

Dramatic comeback

On the women's side, fourth-ranked Ana Ivanovic staged a dramatic comeback, losing the first eight games before ousting number-nine Daniela Hantuchova 0-6, 6-3, 6-4 to reach her second Grand Slam final. She will meet number-five Maria Sharapova, who overwhelmed Serbia's Jelena Jankovic 6-3, 6-1.

Instead of proving he can win a Grand Slam on a surface other than Roland Garros' clay, Nadal matched his worst loss in a major. The only time he won this few games was against Andy Roddick at the 2004 U.S. Open.

Nadal had just 12 unforced errors - four combined in the first two sets. But he was flummoxed against Tsonga, who had 49 winners and did not face any break points until the third set, when he saved three in one game in Nadal's only real challenge.

Smashed aces

Nadal got a taste of what was ahead as Tsonga jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first set. After watching one untouchable service return zip past, Nadal simply stared in disbelief.

Tsonga smashed 17 aces against Nadal, one of the best serve returners.

With the crowd cheering and often on its feet, Tsonga picked up volleys off his feet with a deft touch. Changing speed and spin, he slugged it out with Nadal from the baseline the way few can. And anytime he got close to trouble, his big serve bailed him out.

"I can't believe some volleys,'' Nadal said. "I tried to play little bit slower. I tried to play a little bit faster. I tried to play more inside the court, behind the court. No chance. Not today.''

Tsonga broke Nadal at love to finish off the first set, then revelled in the cheers, waving his arms to get the fans to yell even louder.

"They give me lot of energy,'' he said.

With Nadal serving at 3-4 in the second set, Tsonga set up break point with a lunging backhand volley that left him with his back facing the net, then raised a finger to indicate 'One more'.

He smacked a blistering service return on the next point, then another stinging shot to set up an easy overhead.