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Tsonga wins first year title in Metz
Top seed Jo Wilfried Tsonga has lifted his sixth title of career after beating Ivan Ljubicic in three sets, 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 in the Metz final. World number seven French has also leveled the head to head series with the Croat who failed to pick up his 11th career title.
The host won the opener very easily after managing to convert three out of five break points. Tsonga also conceded a service in the first set but he transformed the three game lead into an early advantage. The second set saw the two players exchange a couple of breaks, something which helped Ljubicic to push the game further into the first tie break.
Tsonga allowed his opponent to go three points adrift and level the score thanks to a 7-4 breaker success. Finally, the third round brought the French a couple of more break conversions which propelled him through the biggest win of the season. Ivan failed to build a break point, something which brought the crowd favorite the first trophy of the year.
Said Tsonga, finalist at this term’s Queens event: “I am so happy to have won the title, it was a long time since I lifted a trophy and I am happy I was able to do here in Metz, in front of the French public. I knew it was going to be difficult. That’s why I am not surprised about Ivan’s come back in the second set. Matches against him are always based on two or three crucial points.”
The seventh rankled needed two hours and a half to hoist the first title. He finished the game with a 68 service percentage, a 42 return one, 14 aces, four double faults and a 54 first serve percentage, compared to Ljubicic who came up with 12 aces, five double faults, a 50 first serve percentage and a poor 32 return one.
The head to head series between the two series have now gone 3-3. Croat’s last win dates from the 2011 Monte Carlo Masters. This was also their third meeting of the year. Tsonga also won the first one in Rotterdam earlier this season.
En route to the final, Tsonga had ousted Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-4, 6-4 in the semi finals, conational Nicolas Mahut 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the quarter finals and Mathieu Rodrigues 6-3, 6-4 in his debut. On the other side, the Croat had previously eliminated Gilles Muller 7-6, 7-6 in the final four term, revelation Igor Sijsling of Holland 6-4, 6-3 in the best eight and Nicolas Renavand 7-5, 7-5 in the second round.
The French player is to pocket 72,600 euro and receive 250 points ATP, while Ljubicic left with a 38,2000 euro check and 150 points.
Metz Prize Money and points:
Winner – 72,600 euro and 250 points ATP
Runner up – 38,200 euro and 150 points ATP
Semi finalist – 20,700 euro and 90 points ATP
Quarter finalist – 11,800 euro and 45 points ATP
R16 – 6,940 euro and 20 points ATP
R28 – 4,120 euro and zero points
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