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Drought ends for Grosjean

Image: Grosjean: Lyon king

Sebastien Grosjean beat Marc Gicquel at the Lyon Grand Prix to earn his first title in five years.

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Frenchman ends long wait for fourth career title

Sebastien Grosjean ended his five-year wait for a tournament victory on the ATP Tour with a 7-6 6-4 win over Marc Gicquel in Lyon. Grosjean edged out his fellow Frenchman to earn his fourth career title and close a difficult season on a high note. The 29-year-old, who has slipped from 28th to 81st in the world rankings, dedicated his success to his coach Bernard Fritz. "I would like to thank Bernard Fritz who came and held my hand when I was in the doldrums this summer," said the two-time Wimbledon champion. Grosjean, who only faced French opponents on the way to the title, needed to fend off a break point for world number 79 Gicquel at 3-3 in the first set. Gicquel saved three set points in the tie-break, but after being pegged back to 6-5 Grosjean held his nerve to forge ahead. Grosjean then missed three match points in the second set before finally seeing off the battling Gicquel. "He was too solid but I am happy with my week," admitted 30-year-old Gicquel, who lost his second successive Lyon final.