LEAD: Tsonga stays in London chase with first year-end win

Nov 22, 2011, 16:20 GMT

London - Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga found his winning touch 7-6 (7-4), 6-1 over Mardy Fish to send the American to a second straight defeat at the ATP World Tour Finals on Tuesday.

Tsonga levelled his record in Group B play at 1-1 after losing his opening match to holder Roger Federer, who was later facing rival Rafael Nadal in their first round-robin showdown in 26 career matches against each other.

Fish remains in desperate shape, with only a theoretical chance of still advancing after slipping to a 0-2 record in round robin.

Tsonga is now stuck firmly into the chase for a possible semi-final spot. The top two finishers of each of two groups go through to the Saturday semis.

Federer will be looking to polish his record this week after beating Tsonga in an opening match.

Tsonga won the first set in a tiebreaker, then lifted his game to sweep away the 29-year-old Fish in the second for a victory in just under 90 minutes.

The burly Frenchman produced six aces and 33 winners as he broke the American who had battled a groin injury five times.

After losing both of his matches on his 2010 debut at the eight-man wrapup, Tsonga was pleased to finally taste victory.

'To win here for first time, I'm very happy. Today I played good tennis. Maybe I'll have a chance to qualify for the semis.

'It was a good match, but I think I can do better in the next one.'

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