Tsonga trumps Chardy
Top seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga won his third ATP title Sunday with a
6-4, 7-6 triumph over fellow Frenchman Jeremy Chardy in a thrilling SA
Tennis Open final.
Tsonga, the 23-year-old Le Mans-born son of a French mother and
Congolese father, won in Bangkok and Paris last year and succeeded in
the revived South African tournament without dropping a set in five
matches.
But he was taken to the wire by 21-year-old Chardy from the
south-west city of Pau, appearing in his first ATP final after reaching
the fourth round of the French Open last year.
"I did a great job this week and am enjoying this moment. I am very
happy to have succeeded and look forward to defending my title next
year," world number 14 Tsonga told the capacity 3,000 centre-court
crowd.
Chardy was sporting in defeat: "I congratulate Jo-Wilfried for a good
match and wish him many more successes this year. It was wonderful to
reach the final of an ATP event."
The first set went with serve for nine games and then Muhammad Ali-lookalike
Tsonga lifted his game to race 40-0 ahead and although Chardy salvaged
one point, an unforced error at the net cost him the game and the set.
JOHANNESBURG, AFP |