Andy Murray lost his bid to reach a first French Open final as he was beaten in five sets by world number one Novak Djokovic.
The duo resumed their semi-final clash on Saturday lunchtime, after bad weather had halted play on Friday evening, with Djokovic leading two sets to one.
Murray went to claim the fourth set and appeared to be in the ascendancy, but Djokovic stepped up a gear in the decider to close out a 6-3 6-3 5-7 5-7 6-1 victory.
Djokovic, twice a beaten finalist at Roland Garros, will face Stan Wawrinka in Sunday's final.
"It was a very difficult match," said Djokovic, chasing a second successive Grand Slam, after his Australian Open triumph in January, and a ninth overall.
"I started well early on with good aggression and intensity but Andy found his confidence on the court.
"The first game of the fifth set was very important and after that I started to play much better."
It was a brave effort from Murray, considering the Serbian had not dropped a set in the tournament until their meeting.
But the Scot will be left wondering just what he has to do to beat his fellow 28-year-old, having now lost all eight of their encounters since the Wimbledon final in 2013.
Jordan Henderson hopes team-mate Raheem Sterling will settle his contract dispute with Liverpool, where he could "blossom as a player", reports BBC Sport.
The winger has rejected a new deal but Reds boss Brendan Rogers expects the 20-year-old to see out the remaining two years of his contract at Anfield.
"He is not who people think he is," said the 24-year-midfielder.
Henderson, speaking to Radio 5 live's John Murray, said: "He gets a bit of criticism because of how things have been dealt with, but I know him better as a person.
"I could not fault him as a person or a player. He is a great lad and gives everything for the team.
"For such a young lad he is so mature and does not let the outside world affect him.
"His work ethic is amazing. He is improving all the time. I hope we can keep him at Liverpool for many years, he can blossom here and become a top player."
Ex-QPR midfielder Joey Barton believes former team-mate Charlie Austin can lay down a claim for an England attacking berth after earning a first international call up.
The Hoops striker excelled in a brilliant breakthrough Premier League season, although his 18 goals proved merely academic as the West London side were relegated back to the Championship at the first time of asking.
“At the minute it looks like Harry Kane’s position, but Charlie has the ability to lay down that claim,” the former Manchester City and Newcastle midfielder told Drivetime.
“His goal record speaks for itself. 18 goals for a side that finished bottom of the table is a phenomenal achievement.”
Austin will be hoping for a similar impact, and Barton is convinced he has the mentality to develop his game to even high levels than he showcased this season.
He said: “The goalscoring ability is natural, you can’t really train for that. The other part of his game – the holding up and lone striker role – he has to improve and he knows he has to improve.
“He always takes on board people’s advice. It’s a fairytale story and it’s great to see him in the England squad and doing well.”
Lionel Messi admits situations on and off the pitch last season affected him, but says he is enjoying his football again after a fantastic term with Barcelona.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's Champion League final with Juventus, he said: "Perhaps over last year [2013/14] the season hasn’t been good for me, because of several situations on and off the pitch.
"Whether you like it or not, this always has an influence on your performance on the pitch.
"I suffered an injury and it took me a while to get back and do what I wanted to do. So a few things weren’t so good.
"I have always tried to enjoy it and do things well. And now this season I have tried to be the same as last year.
"I have been very grateful for what the club has done for me and the warmth and support I received from it.
"I have developed and grown here at this club. I like this club a lot because, as I said before, it’s more than just how they helped and supported me in all the years I have been here."
FIFA presidential candidate Zico has revealed that England are still in the running to win the rights to host the 2022 World Cup.
Following the resignation of Sepp Blatter on Tuesday, a host of
names have been linked with the presidency for world football’s
governing body.
Brazilian legend Zico is one of those and he suggests that if Qatar were
to be stripped of the hosting rights in the wake of bribery and
corruption allegations, England are ready to step up.
"With respect to Qatar as a country that wants to grow, you can't have a World Cup in a country that doesn't have football," said Zico.
"I worked there [Qatar] when I was Iraq's head coach. They don't have
1,000 people at their stadiums. There are matches where not even the
players' families go."
He added: "If the irregularities are proven that there was buying of
votes for this nomination, I think that, no matter who did it, we should
stop and start over again, make a different kind of election.
"We have time. We have here different countries, England is one of them with infrastructure to hold a World Cup. This happened already - 1986, if I remember correctly."
Angel Di Maria insists he will be at Manchester United next season - despite interest from Paris Saint-Germain.
The Argentina flyer, the Red Devils' record signing, failed to impress during his first campaign in the Premier League.
That has lead to interest from the Ligue 1 side, with talkSPORT being told on Thursday the ex-Real Madrid star is their No.1 target.
But the former Benfica winger claims he is ready to battle it out at Old Trafford.
"I have just finished my first season playing for Manchester United,"
the 27-year-old said. "Now I will play the Copa America and then I will
move back to Manchester for next season and do my best there.
'It was a hard season for me," he added. "I think it was hard because
it was another country and another league, and this league is harder
than the Spanish one.
"So, I couldn't adapt myself as I wanted to. La Liga and the Premier
League are completely different. The Premier League is physically
stronger.
"It was not easy at all. I ended playing few minutes."
COMMENT: Gareth Bale and Raphael Varane from Real Madrid. Nicolas Otamendi at Valencia. Nico Gaitan from Benfica ... we know Manchester United will be spending big in the coming months.
But with David de Gea's Real Madrid move a just about done deal, where are the keeper names?
Hugo Lloris has been mentioned - but that's it. And even then, both the Frenchman and his manager at Tottenham,
Mauricio Pochettino, have quickly shutdown the speculation. Spurs
chairman Daniel Levy has also briefed those he's closest to in the media
to make clear Lloris is not for sale.
So where are the alternatives?
Is it simply the case that Louis van Gaal and Ed Woodward are focusing
on outfield positions? That they'll act on finding a new keeper once De
Gea has confirmed he's moving to Real?
Or is it that Van Gaal feels he already has De Gea's successor on the
books? Has the Dutchman considered all options and discovered there's
no-one available superior to fit-again, former Barcelona No1 Victor Valdes?
He only made his full debut in the final game of the season, but ever
since he arrived in October, Valdes has made his presence felt. The
three-time Champions League winner has barreled through the United
locker room like a steam train, his personality lifting everyone inside
the club.
At Barca, it was Valdes, along with Carles Puyol and Dani Alves, all
big, positive personalities, who were the heart and soul of the dressing
room. With United shorn of the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic, Valdes has helped fill the vacuum.
Even David Moyes, last year, conceded United's locker room was "quiet".
But that's changed this past season - in no small way thanks to Valdes'
addition.
Van Gaal may've worked with Valdes at Barca, but that's not why he reached out to the Catalan when he was training with Liverpool. He wanted Valdes to not only push De Gea, but try to bring him out of himself.
It's the one major weakness currently in De Gea's game. One which Van
Gaal and his keeper coach Frans Hoek quickly recognised. The Spaniard is
not a vocal on-field presence. He doesn't organise his back four and
fails to warn them of potential threats.
Which is the complete opposite of what you get from Valdes - and why Van
Gaal may be prepared to go into the new season with the 32 year-old as
his outright No1.
On current form, De Gea is among the best keepers in the world. Real Madrid
will be getting, at 24, a talent with the potential to become one of
the game's greats. Without De Gea's heroics last season, United would
not have come close to a top four finish.
But how many of those needed wonder saves could've been prevented by De
Gea organising those ahead of him? Could those one-on-one chances have
been anticipated and so snuffed out? That's been the topic of
conversation among United's coaching staff this season.
Pound for pound, at this point in time, De Gea is Valdes' superior. But
there is a feeling at United that Valdes' personality and organising
ability will offset De Gea's amazing shot-stopping prowess.
Valdes was loved at Barca. But he was never fully accepted by those in
the boardroom. There was always a nagging doubt about whether Barca
could improve with a better keeper between the posts.
His performance at Hull was Valdes' career in a nutshell. It was a
cleansheet. But in the first-half, he avoided disaster after dropping a
high ball in a crowded penalty area. However, his next action was
denying Ahmed Elmohamady's header with a breathtaking save. Valdes leapt
to his feet and punched the air. He still had it.
Van Gaal was enthusiastic about Valdes' debut at the final whistle "he
is very quick and explosive". This is his idea of a goalkeeper. Someone
with a big personality, who can be his defensive coach on the field.
Is it just coincidence that after the trail for Borussia Dortmund captain Mats Hummels had gone cold, United are now taking a serious look at Valencia's
Spanish speaking defender Otamendi? If Van Gaal is to bring in a new,
leading centre-half, it makes sense he and the club's first-choice
keeper have no communication issues.
Even on the bench, Valdes' impact was felt this season. While Van Gaal and Ryan Giggs
muttered behind the back of their hands, Valdes was always in the
background, smiling and chirping away. There he'd be, punching the air
and high fiving teammates.
It's that strength of personality which could get Valdes a clear run at
being No1 next season - and the loss of De Gea felt not so keenly.
Andy Murray
set up a French Open semi-final showdown with world number one Novak
Djokovic after an impressive four-set victory over clay court expert
David Ferrer.
The Scottish third seed, who remains unbeaten on clay since
getting married in early April, prevailed 7-6 6-2 5-7 6-1 over the
former Roland Garros runner-up in just over three hours on Court Suzanne
Lenglen.
In a contest where both players struggled to assert
authority on their own serve, Murray’s proactive approach paid dividends
against the Spaniard nicknamed the ‘road runner.’
After a first set that swung both ways, Murray won a crucial
tiebreak, and despite a blip in the third set, regained his control to
ultimately add gloss to the scoreline.
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Djokovic illustrated his current stranglehold over the men’s
game in the day’s other quarter-final encounter, dismantling nine-times
champions Rafael Nadal 7-5 6-3 6-1 in imperious fashion.
The contest was billed as a clash of the titans given
Nadal’s daunting record in Paris; the Spaniard having lost just once at
the calendar's second grand slam in his career.
But Djokovic was quick to grab the momentum, racing into a
4-0 lead in the first set before eventually closing it out after Nadal
showed briefed signs of fight.
Nadal, though, has never really recovered from crippling
back injuries and this humbling defeat suggests a changing of the guard
on a surface he has dominated for so long.
In the women’s event, there were straight sets wins for
number one seed Serena Williams and Timea Bacsinszky as they booked
their semi-final berths.
The former Arsenal forward handled the ball in the lead up to France’s decisive goal in 2010 World Cup qualifying, subsequently sending the French through at the expense of the Republic of Ireland in their play-off tie.
In a tumultuous week at Fifa, John Delaney confirmed the FAI allegedly reached an agreement with president Sepp Blatter, believed to be 5 million euros, to not take the case to the courts, and Boyce is dumbfounded by the revelations.
“How anyone can authorize a payment of 5 million euros to stop legal proceedings is totally and utterly beyond me,” the 71-year-old told UTV.
“If this was authorised by the president of Fifa without the knowledge of the executive committee – this is something that has to be looked into. I sincerely hope that when they meet they launch a full investigation into it.
“It’s just incredible and I can’t believe that it’s actually happened.”
Following Blatter’s resignation as president earlier this week amid an ongoing corruption scandal, this news will only serve to reduce Fifa’s credibility even further and Boyce, the former president of the IFA, insists any payoff is completely unprecedented.
He said: “I saw the game and there’s no doubt about it, it was a handball.
“But I’ve never known in my experience of football of someone giving a payment like that for a referees’s mistake to stop someone taking legal action.”
John Delaney has confirmed the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) was paid millions of euros by FIFA to not contest Thierry Henry's infamous World Cup handball through the courts.
Henry handled the ball in setting up William Gallas' extra-time goal which ultimately sent France through to the 2010 finals in South Africa at the expense of the Republic of Ireland.
The incident, in the second leg of their play-off which finished 1-1 to give France a 2-1 aggregate win, was not spotted by Swedish referee Martin Hansson and left the FAI fuming.
Chief executive Delaney has revealed he made his feelings known in a no-holds-barred exchange with FIFA president Sepp Blatter - who announced this week he will step down - and the outcome was a financial agreement between the two parties. Reports last year claimed the payment was five million euros.
Delaney told RTE Radio 1: "We felt we had a legal case against FIFA because of how the World Cup play-off hadn't worked out for us with the Henry handball.
"Also the way Blatter behaved, if you remember on stage, having a snigger and having a laugh at us. That day when I went in, and I told him how I felt about him, there were some expletives used. We came to an agreement.
"That was a Thursday and on Monday the agreement was all signed and all done. It's a very good agreement for the FAI and a very legitimate agreement for the FAI. I'm bound by confidentiality for naming the figure.
"You've put a figure out there and fair play to you. It was a payment to the association to not proceed with a legal case. In there, they signed a confidentiality agreement where I can't talk about the amount involved.
"You used a figure there, well done to you, but it was a very good and legitimate deal for the FAI."
Ireland turned in arguably their best performance under former boss Giovanni Trapattoni at the Stade de France and were brimming with confidence when Robbie Keane's 33rd-minute strike cancelled out a first-leg deficit.
However, Gallas' late equaliser broke Irish hearts with television replays clearly showing Henry's offence, for which he later apologised.
France failed to make it out of their group in South Africa, taking just a point from their three first round games.
Arsenal and Manchester City target Paulo Dybala has joined Juventus.
The former Palermo man has been on a host of top club's shopping lists this summer, but has chosen the Old Lady.
Dybala has agreed a five-year contract at the Serie A giants, who face Barcelona in the Champions Leaguefinal on Saturday.
A fee of €32million, payable over four years, has been agreed, with a potential extra €8 million to be added on if certain performance-related targets are met.
Chelsea have clinched a deal for former Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao, it has been revealed.
United passed on the option of signing Falcao permanently last week, returning him to parent club AS Monaco.
Marca says Falcao's agent, Jorge Mendes, has agreed a deal in-principle with Chelsea over the Colombian's return to England next season. Mendes is now ironing out the final details of the transfer.
Falcao will become a Chelsea player after Colombia's Copa America campaign. The centre-forward has agreed to take a hefty pay-cut on his ASM wages to make the move happen.
Chelsea and Monaco will announce the deal formally after the Copa.
But, speaking about his decision to return, the former Holland coach said: “After a lot of discussions with Ellis [Short] and Lee [Congerton], they convinced me that I am the right man for the club.
“It was a great feeling to be part of Sunderland in the last few months, the experience was something very special and after talking with Lee, Ellis and of course my family, we all agree it is the right decision.”
Sunderland chairman Ellis Short said: “Dick’s credentials in football are top class and we saw what an impact his vast knowledge and experience had on our team and the club as a whole in just two months.
“Sunderland fans took him to their hearts and so did everyone at the club, so we are absolutely thrilled that he will be here longer term.”
The club’s sporting director, Lee Congerton, added: “Dick was always our number one choice and we were determined we weren’t going to take 'no' for an answer. I have been in constant contact with him over the last two weeks and I'm absolutely delighted that he has agreed to return.
“In just a short space of time he has bought into the club wholeheartedly and understands exactly what we need now in order to move forward. We have a lot of work to do to prepare for the season ahead and that starts in earnest now.”
Personal terms have been negotiated and the 29-year-old will join on a free transfer on July 1 after his contract expires at the Etihad Stadium.
The England international, who has won 53 caps, will add some much-needed experience to a midfield which, for the first time in 17 years will be without captain Steven Gerrard as he begins a new career in Major League Soccer with Los Angeles Galaxy
"Liverpool Football Club are delighted to announce they have agreed a deal to sign Manchester City's James Milner, subject to a medical," the club said a statement.
"The Reds have agreed personal terms with the England international, who will join the club on a free transfer on July 1 after his contract at the Etihad Stadium has expired."
Milner is reported to have turned down better terms offered by City in order to move to Anfield, where he believes he can play more regularly after making just 18 league starts last season.
FIFA whistleblower Chuck Blazer has admitted executive committee members took bribes to facilitate a number of World Cup bids, including the 1998 and 2010 tournaments in France and South Africa respectively.
In a testimony published by the United States Department of Justice, Blazer confessed at least two acts of racketeering took place in relation to the award of football's primary competition.
He said: "I agreed with other persons in or around 1992 to facilitate the acceptance of a bribe in conjunction with the selection of the host nation for the 1998 World Cup.
"Beginning in or around 2004 and continuing through 2011, I and others on the FIFA executive committee agreed to accept bribes in conjunction with the selection of South Africa as the host nation of the 2010 World Cup."
The American administrator also added that during his association with FIFA and CONCACAF, he took bribes in conjunction with the broadcasting rights of the 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2003 Gold Cups.
Chelsea legend Gianluca Vialli has backed his former club to challenge for the Champions League next season, and believes defensive frailties are hampering other Premier League clubs facilitating success in Europe.
England failed to boast a quarter-final representative in Europe’s primary cup competition for the second time in three seasons, and Vialli, although predicting a strong Chelsea showing next campaign, insists a general drop in defensive levels is responsible for the malaise of others in England's top tier.
“Chelsea will be up there with the best teams in Europe very soon. Next year they will be contenders,” the Italian told Kick Off.
“They’ve got the foundations, they’ve got the potential and they have a great manager. Out of all the English teams, they are the best at defending – I think this is a problem for English teams in Europe.
“They [English teams] lack solidity defensive wise and it’s a bit of a problem. The English game is fantastic to watch because anything can happen, but when you go into Europe you have to be tighter.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea are being heavily linked with a move for Monaco striker Radamel Falcao in an attempt to strengthen their attacking reinforcements to aid an assault on next season’s Champions League trophy.
The Colombian striker endured a season to forget at Manchester United, scoring just four goals, but Vialli believes Mourinho’s man-management skills can get the best out of a striker who was once regarded as Europe’s most lethal marksman.
Vialli said: “Knowing how good Mourinho is at getting the best out of his players, and Falcao is an extraordinary striker, they will be even stronger.
“Can he play with or instead of Diego Costa? I don’t know. But definitely the more great players you have in your side, the better.”
Sinisa Mihajlovic has spent the day with AC Milan officials.
The former Sampdoria coach is in talks about the job at Milan and Calciomercato.com says he met with president Silvio Berlusconi, his son Piersilvio, and Rossoneri GM Adriano Galliani.
During the meeting, they discussed summer transfer plans, including the return of striker M'Baye Niang from Genoa.
Mihajlovic also gave his approval to Milan's move for Genoa midfielder Andrea Bertolacci.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and Diego Costa
have rejected reports that a 'homesick' striker is contemplating a
return to Spain, with the player himself insisting he wants to stay at
Stamford Bridge.
It was rumoured on Monday that the forward had contacted former club Atletico Madrid over a possible move, having grown unhappy with life in London.
But Mourinho insisted Costa's demeanour around the squad is not that of a player seeking to leave.
“He's the guy responsible for everything good we have in the dressing room," the Chelsea boss said after the Blues ended their Premier League-winning season with a 1-0 win over Sydney FC on Tuesday afternoon.
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"He's so happy, so funny. He enjoys every minute and is the
happiest guy in the dressing room. If this is unhappiness I'm happy with
that. He was not happy with the news."
And Costa also weighed in on the debate, insisting he will
be a Chelsea player next season as the team look to build on last
season's Premier League victory.
The 26-year-old told Chelsea TV: "It's quite a simple
answer. It’s always a bit more difficult for adaptation in the first
season, but I have no reason to leave this place, I love it, the fans
love me and I want to stay.
"It’s really good to come in the first season and win two
things. It’s really important and next year I’ll be ready to come back
and hopefully win a couple more trophies."
Mourinho was pleased with Costa's attitude as Chelsea, who fielded a host of regulars including Eden Hazard and John Terry, brought down the curtain on a long season in front of a crowd of 83,598 in Sydney, with Loic Remy netting the game’s only goal.
"Diego tried, but we didn't want to take any risks. I told
him to give the fans at least half an hour and he played until the 40th
minute. We felt that was enough," Mourinho said.
A short statement on Real's official website read: "Real
Madrid CF will present Rafa Benitez as the new first-team coach for the
next three seasons today, Wednesday 3 June.
"The ceremony will take place at 1pm CEST [12pm BST] in the
presidential box of the Santiago Bernabeu. Following his unveiling, Rafa
Benitez will hold a press conference in the press room."
Rafael Benitez is set to be named as Real Madrid manager on Wednesday.
The 55-year-old ex-Liverpool boss ended a two-year stint with Napoli following a
4-2 home defeat by Lazio
on Sunday.
"I am enthusiastic and happy, although there are things
that still need to be discussed," Benitez said upon his arrival in
Madrid.
Madrid-born Benitez will replace Carlo Ancelotti, who
was sacked last week just a year after winning the Champions League
against Atletico Madrid.
Spaniard Benitez will arrive at the Bernabeu with
plenty of European pedigree, having won the Champions League with
Liverpool in 2005, Uefa Cup with Valencia in 2004 and the Europa League
while interim manager at Chelsea two years ago.
Benitez started his coaching career with Real's youth squad but it was with Valencia that he made his name.
He led them to two La Liga titles before leaving for Liverpool, where he also won the FA Cup and Uefa Super Cup.
After ending a six-year stay at Liverpool he moved on
to Inter Milan but was sacked just three months into the 2010-11 season.
He bounced back by leading Chelsea to the Europa League title in the 2012-13 campaign before joining Napoli.
The Spaniard then guided the Italian side to the Coppa
Italia in his first season in charge, but the loss to Lazio meant the
club finished fifth in Serie A and did not qualify for the Champions
League.
Brendan Rodgers is to stay as Liverpool manager following a meeting with the club's co-owner Tom Werner.
Werner met the 42-year-old Reds boss in the city on Tuesday as part of his end-of-season review.
Liverpool finished sixth in the Premier League last season and missed out on a place in the Champions League.
But Northern Irishman Rodgers and Werner agreed on a
"comprehensive plan" aimed at ensuring performances improve next season.
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Archive: Big summer for Liverpool - Rodgers
Rodgers was appointed as Liverpool manager on 1 June, 2012, but
admitted after the 6-1 defeat at Stoke on the final day of the season
that his future was in doubt.
Speaking after that match Rodgers said: "I've always said if the owners want me to go, then I go."
Rodgers came close to a
first title win in 24 years in 2014
but endured a disappointing 2014-15 season, with Liverpool failing
to progress from the group stage of the Champions League.
Second seed and 2009 champion Roger Federer is out of the French
Open after a 6-4 6-3 7-6 (7-4) defeat to Stan Wawrinka in an all-Swiss
quarter-final.
Wawrinka, 30, had lost all four of their previous matches at Grand Slam tournaments.
But the number eight seed overcame his 33-year-old Davis Cup team-mate to cause an upset at Roland Garros.
Wawrinka will meet home favourite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the semi-finals following his win over Kei Nishikori.
Tsonga overcame a fightback by his Japanese opponent to win 6-1 6-4 4-6 3-6 6-3.
Wawrinka hails 'best match on clay'
World number two Federer was second best throughout
against an inspired Wawrinka and failed to break serve in a Grand Slam
match for the first time since the 2002 US Open.
Federer was broken in the third game of the first set and in the seventh game of the second set.
Stan Wawrinka finally got the better of Roger Federer at a major on his fifth attempt
When a couple of close calls went against him in the
third set tie-break, Federer's hopes of adding to his haul of 17 Grand
Slam trophies were over.
A forehand volley on his second match point propelled
Wawrinka, the 2014 Australian Open champion, to his first French Open
semi-final.
"Today was my best match on clay and it's an incredible moment for me," said Wawrinka.
"I'm playing good tennis and I'm really pleased to be in the Paris semi-finals for the first time.
"I'm a little bit surprised to win that match in three sets and the way I did, but it's a great feeling."
Federer eyes Wimbledon triumph
No sooner had Federer left Court Suzanne Lenglen than
he was talking up his chances on grass at Wimbledon, which gets under
way on 29 June.
"I'm already thinking what I'm going to do over the
next few days, because Wimbledon is going to be a big goal for the
season," said the seven-time Wimbledon champion.
Roger Federer won Wimbledon six times in seven attempts between 2003-2009
"That's where I want to play my best. It's a big goal for me. I want to win it, and I feel like my game is good.
"It's been solid, it's been positive, and I have just got to keep it up now."
Tsonga on song
It is 32 years since France had a home winner at Roland
Garros but Tsonga's marathon victory over Nishikori kept hopes alive
that could be about to change.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga's best result in the French Open was reaching the last four in 2013
The number 14 seed breezed through the first set and
was leading 5-2 in the second when the match was interrupted for more
than half an hour after a metal sheet from a
giant video screen was blown off,
crashing into spectators and leaving three with minor injuries.
Although Tsonga, 30, went on to claim the second set
6-4, 25-year-old Nishikori, the number five seed, took the game to a
fifth set before Tsonga secured victory.
No Frenchman has won the title at Roland Garros since Yannick Noah in 1983.
"I am super happy. It was tough because he came back strong but I kept my head high," said Tsonga.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga celebrated
his win by writing with his feet on the Paris clay "I love you Roland
Garros" before lying down on his back
