JO-WILFRIED Tsonga described his run to the Australian Open final as ridiculous'' after destroying second seed Rafael Nadal in the last four.

Nadal, the three-time defending French Open champion, was outclassed by the 22-year-old from Le Mans, who romped to a 6-2 6-3 6-2 win in under two hours.

He will now compete for the title on Sunday against either world number one Roger Federer or third seed Novak Djokovic.

Tsonga said: It's a big dream.

I don't know what to say about that. It's just amazing. It is ridiculous.

I think it's the first time I've played to this level and it's here in the semi-finals of the Australian Open.'' Ranked 38th in the world, Tsonga had already accounted for Andy Murray, Richard Gasquet and Mikhail Youzhny at Melbourne Park. And he never looked in any danger against Nadal, breaking twice in the first set to wrap it up in 32 minutes.

Tsonga secured a further break in the eighth game before serving out the set.

Nadal brought up three break points in the second game of the third set but Tsonga saved them all before levelling at 1-1.

He then broke again in the very next game to take a handy lead before putting Nadal under further pressure with another break to go ahead 5-2.

Tsonga brought up two match points with a blistering forehand winner before closing out the match with his 17th ace.

He added: Rafael plays the same tennis all the time. His level is very high and it's very difficult to play against him. But I was just concentrating on my own game. I was moving on the court like I never move, so everything was perfect.'' Nadal was gracious in defeat, saying: He played unbelievably.

He played the ball very hard every time and his serving was unbelievable."