Tsonga beats Britain’s James Ward to make Queen’s final

“I just hope to build on it from here on in. It’s great being at home when everyone’s on your side – it does help a lot – I came into this tournament just hoping to play well in the first round.

“But the more I won, the more I believed in myself, and this game is all about confidence. I will take that now into Eastbourne next week. Today was a great match and I just missed out, but it’s onwards and upwards from here.”

Ward can take real heart from forcing Tsonga to fight all the way for his win after his wobbly start allowed the heavy-serving Frenchman, who delivered aces with ease, to move 3-0 up.

After holding, Ward did earn two break points in the next game but Tsonga’s powerful serve got him out of trouble on both occasions – and he went on to clinch the opening set.

Tsonga wasted two break points in the first match of the second set, sending a forehand wide before being denied by the net cord.