Nadal accepts his thrashing from Tsonga

"I think he's going to feel the pressure in a first Grand Slam final," said three-time Roland Garros champion Nadal, thrashed 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 by the 38th-ranked Frenchman.

 "Roger or Djokovic, if he plays like today, he will have his chances against both," said Nadal, speaking of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic who clash in a semi-final on Friday.

 Nadal was hammered in less than two hours in a schooling by the underdog.

 "We have to accept today, he played unbelievable," said the Spaniard after losing for the first time in six semis at the Slam level. "He played the ball hard every time and was serving unbelievable.

 "He missed not one backhand so I congratulate him. He had forehand winners also. That's it."

   The Spaniard who defines the big-hitting modern game said he was simply outplayed. "I was in rhythm, but I had no chances in this match. I was playing fine. He played better than me.

 "I tried my best; I tried to play a 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. Maybe next time."

DPA