Tsonga beats Youzhny to win Japan Open

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga put an end to Mikhail Youzhny’s dramatic run on Sunday to become the first French player to win the men’s singles title at the Japan Open tennis tournament.

The world number seven from Le Mans, who knocked out compatriots Gael Monfils and Richard Gasquet on his way to the final, chalked up a 6-3, 6-3 win over the Russian. “I’m very happy to win here. For me, it’s good, because maybe I can play in the Masters event, so I’m really happy to win this tournament,” said Tsonga, ranked seventh against Youzhny’s 49th.

“Today, I played perfectly like I did yesterday. That’s it. When I play like this, it’s tough for my opponent. I’d like to thank Mikhail for this match.

“At the beginning of the week, I was tired, and I won some tough matches, and then I played better and better every day,” he added.

Youzhny had the first break opportunity in the third game of the first set, which he missed with a forehand error that went wide.

Tsonga then had a 15-40 chance in the eighth game, and converted when Youzhny made a forehand error to go up 5-3.

After the second set went with serves, Tsonga took a love-40 break chance in the seventh game, winning it two points later when Youzhny landed an easy backhand shot in the net.

TOKYO, Sunday AFP