Many fans and pundits have had their eyes on Jo-Wilfried Tsonga as he attempted to get a grip on the 2015 season following an injury that sidelined him for the majority of the year. His first round match was a promising one and he will now further his campaign at the All England Club when he faces Albert Ramos-Vinolas for the second time on the tour. Tsonga leads the head-to-head series 1-0 but that contest took place over three years ago in Doha.

Seeded 13th at this year’s event, Tsonga managed to keep the upper hand in his battle against Gilles Muller, which ended up going five sets. Tsonga fired 69 winners and withstood 71 from Muller. He also saved four break points and eventually closed out the match 7-6(8), 6-7(3), 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 in three-hours and 50 minutes.

“I thought it’s going to be difficult, and it was,” said Tsonga. “He’s a very good player, especially on grass and indoors. He likes that kind of surface. Today he shows that he’s able to play really good tennis.

“Today I felt 100 per cent,” added Tsonga. “I’m feeling good. I think [the injury is] behind me.”

Tsonga will come up against a much fresher opponent in the second round, as Albert Ramos-Vinolas reached that stage of the tournament following a retirement from Denis Istomin due to fatigue when he was down 2-6, 2-6, 2-3. It was certainly a less stressful encounter than that that Tsonga had to go through on Tuesday.

This is just the second time that these two competitors will meet on the professional tour with Tsonga leading the head-to-head series 1-0. Their last meeting took place three years ago at Doha so it isn’t much to gauge on. However, given Tsonga’s improvement and confidence in his body, the former two-time semi-finalist should find his way into the third round of the tournament.