Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Into Final Against Spain's Fernando Verdasco; As US Open Champion Juan Martin Del Potro Quits Due to Wrsit Injury

MELBOURNE — US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro; on Thursday pulled out of his final tune-up match prior to the Australian Open, citing a wrist injury.

His withdrawal from the Koyoong Classic was mirrored by French Open finalist Robin Soderling, who quit a semi-final trailing 6-4 against Ivan Ljubicic to avoid doing himself more elbow damage ahead of the season's opening Grand Slam.

The Del Potro decision puts Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga into Saturday's final against Spain's Fernando Verdasco.

Verdasco booked a bereth over 2008 Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, whom he beat 6-1, 6-2.

"The results didn't even matter," said world number three Djokovic. "The main point is to get a good practice and get points and gains before the Australian Open, which is my main priority.

"I didn't feel good on the court, he played well but I made way too many unforced errors."

Verdasco admitted he was surprised by his easy victory, adding that the traditional swirling wind at the Kooyong club was a problem for both players.

"We all know that here every day is pretty windy. It is not easy for everybody. But I was feeling pretty good," he said.

"I was trying to control the conditions and just give my 100 percent and be the best as possible for the Australian Open. That's the goal."

The dual dramas cast a pall over the event, considered the prime tune-up for the first major of the season.

"It's still hurting me a little bit, it was better yesterday," said Soderling. "Today, I felt it a little bit more, so I figure I didn't want to take any risks.

"I've had this a few times before, the last time was at Paris (Bercy, in early November)."

Soderling will hope his wrist heals on its own but will also be spending time with a physio in an effort to come good for Monday.

"With some rest, some treatment, I really hope I'll feel good next week," he said.

"Sometimes when I play a lot it comes back a little bit," he added of the tendinitis which has troubled him for the last six months off and on.

"But then if I rest it again it normally gets better.

"That's what I'm hoping for."

In a relegation match, Chile's Fernando Gonzalez handed German Tommy Haas his second defeat in as many days, 6-2, 6-4.