Novak Djokovic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will face off on Sunday in a repeat of their Australian Open final seven months ago after both advanced at the Thailand Open.

Djokovic struggled through a 53-minute first set against third seed Tomas Berdych before the floodgates opened for a 7-5, 6-1 semifinal defeat of the Czech player.

Tsonga, the number two, took just 52 minutes to set up the grand slam re-match, stamping his authority on fellow Frenchman Gael Monfils with a 6-0, 6-3 win.

"This will be my chance to take revenge," said Tsonga, who lost to the world number three Serb Djokovic in four sets in Melbourne.

"This is a totally different match from then. I'm confident and I like my chances."

Djokovic was equally enthusiastic about the rematch: "It's great to meet Jo again after that final. It will be very interesting to play him.

"It's our second match and our second in a final - anything can happen. I don't see myself as a big favourite, Jo has been playing fantastic tennis, serving and moving well. He's very motivated."

Djokovic and Berdych duelled throughout the first set until the final game, when a Djokovic return on set point tipped over the net cord to land dead on the Czech's side.

The Serb then took quick advantage, going up a break in the third and producing a 3-0 lead before Berdych could react, completing victory in just under 90 minutes after a double-break in the second set.

"I broke him twice in the second due to his bad service games," said Djokovic. "But it felt like I woke up from a dream in that second set.

"I was really sleepy the last two days and especially in the first set."

Djokovic will be competing for his fourth title of the season and first since Rome in May. He is into his 16th ATP singles final (standing 10-5) and boasts a 58-13 record in 2008.

The title showdown at the Impact arena cements the return of the 20th-ranked Tsonga after a three-month absence due to knee surgery in 2008.

The youngster played for his only other ATP trophy during his grand slam breakthrough.

Tsonga shot out of the blocks in his first ATP meeting with Monfils, lifting the first five games in a quarter of an hour and the set after 21 quick minutes.

A relieved Monfils fired a ball into the stands after finally getting a game on the scoreboard for 1-1 in the second set.

From that point, Monfils, ranked 30th, steadied as he tried to close the gap on his friend and training partner.

But the effort counted for nought, with Tsonga taking a 4-2 lead and serving out the win three games later on the first of three match points.

"I'm very happy with my game and my form," he said. "I never expected to play so well and get such a big win against Gael. To be in the final is like a dream for me."

AFP