Novak Djokovic of Serbia (top) and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France both lay on the ground after falling as they dived to hit returns during their semi-final match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, July 1, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

With Tsonga up a break and serving while leading 3-2, the two players volleyed the ball back and forth until Tsonga dived and hit winner.

As Djokovic clapped his hand on his racket to acknowledge the acrobatic play and the crowd applauded, Tsonga turned to the Royal Box _ which included former Wimbledon champions Bjorn Borg and Goran Ivanisevic _ and stretched out his arms to roaring cheers.

Tsonga again relied on his big serve and booming forehands, and they worked early. He broke Djokovic in the opening game of the opening set to take the lead, but the turning point came when Tsonga was serving for the first set while leading 5-4.

Djokovic won the first three points, and Tsonga saved all three break chances. But at deuce, Tsonga double-faulted to give Djokovic another chance, and this time he converted when the Frenchman sent a forehand wide.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France reacts during his semi-final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London July 1, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

"I can beat everybody today, but not Djokovic, because he just played unbelievable," Tsonga said. "He was everywhere. He returns unbelievable all the time on his baseline, so is tough. That's it."

In the second set, Djokovic controlled play and took advantage of Tsonga's increasing unforced errors. The Serb broke in the first and fifth games to take a 5-1 lead, and held at love in the final game.

Leading by two sets against Tsonga does not mean the match is over, however. On Wednesday, six-time Wimbledon champion Federer won the opening two against Tsonga but lost in five, and Djokovic found it just as tough.

While serving for the match at 6-5, Tsonga broke to force another tiebreaker, and then saved a pair of match points.

But Djokovic didn't let the setback get to him. He held at love in the opening game of the final set, and then broke Tsonga at love to take a 2-0 lead before hanging on the rest of the way.