Jo-Wilfried Tsonga defeated fellow Frenchman Michael Llodra 7-5 7-6 to win the Marseille Open and claim his second title of the season.
Fourth seed prevails in all-French final at the Open 13
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga defeated fellow Frenchman Michael Llodra 7-5 7-6 to win his second title of the season at the Open 13 in Marseille.
Tsonga, the fourth seed, triumphed at the South African Open two weeks ago, and his form has remained good enough for him to quickly follow-up with a second victory of 2009.
It was a tough final with his compatriot Llodra, but in the end former Australian Open runner up won the crucial points to emerge with the trophy.
The opening set was settled by a decisive break from Tsonga in the 11th game, but the second set went all the way to the tie-break after staying on serve throughout.
And the world number 12 again found the crucial winners at the crucial times to win the breaker 7-3, sealing the title in style with an 11th ace.
Pressure
Llodra's attempted to apply pressure by advancing to the net but came up just short in a final which lasted an hour and 43 minutes.
"I'm really happy to have won, especially since I was about not to come," Tsonga said.
"My dad underwent surgery five days ago. I dedicate this victory to him. He may be listening from his hospital bed. I give him big kisses."
Llodra threw in a double fault and a missed routine smash during the tie-breaker, and the left-hander needed treatment on his shoulder during the match.
Llodra also reached the doubles final and said the amount of tennis he had to play during the week had an impact during the final.
"The accumulation of singles and doubles matches is not easy to handle," said Llodra.
