PARIS: Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga overpowered Italy’s Andreas Seppi yesterday to retain his title at the Metz Open and score crucial points in the race to the World Tour Finals.
World number seven Tsonga, who currently occupies the eighth and last qualifying place for the London event in November, demolished the world No. 28 6-1, 6-2 in 50 minutes to clinch his second title this season after winning in Doha in January.
The Frenchman relied on his powerful first serve and his trademark forehand to quash his opponent, who did not get any opportunity to break back.
“I did great, it was good,” Tsonga told French channel Sport in a courtside interview.
“I stayed focused all along, until the last second. I am very happy because it was the first time I have defended a title. I hope it will happen again,” Tsonga, who has now won nine ATP title in his career, added.
Tsonga broke Seppi’s serve in the fourth game with a passing shot and wrap the first set in 22 minutes.
Unlike his semi-final against Nikolay Davydenko, who made him work hard after a one-sided first set, Tsonga maintained his grip in the second set to quickly lead 4-0.
He then held to his serve and claimed the victory on his first match point with a last forehand winner.
Klizan triumphs
In St. Petersburg, Russia, Martin Klizan of Slovakia defeated Fabio Fognini of Italy 6-2, 6-3 yesterday to win his first career ATP title at the St. Petersburg Open.
The third-seeded Klizan broke the fourth-seeded Fognini twice in the first set and four times in the second, including in the final game when the left-handed Slovak hit a cross-court forehand winner to seal the victory.
Klizan had used his only ace of the match to close out the first set.
In the past seven months, the 23-year-old Slovak has moved up from No. 121 in the world to a career-high 45 in a breakthrough season that included reaching the fourth round of the US Open by beating No. 6-ranked Jo-Wilfred Tsonga.
He reached the final in St. Petersburg by upsetting top-seeded Mikhail Youzhny of Russia in a three-set match that lasted nearly four hours on Saturday. After a short break, Klizan played a doubles semifinal, which he and his partner lost.
“I was really dead yesterday after the match, but I played very solid this week and I’m very happy that I won this week,” Klizan said. “It’s my first title and I hope not last, and I hope I can make more points in the end of this season.” Klizan said he was serving better than on Saturday, when his back was giving him some trouble.
The 25-year-old Fognini, ranked 53rd, was playing in his second ATP final after losing to Gilles Simon on clay in Bucharest earlier this season.
In an error-filled performance on Sunday, he won only 40 percent of the points on his first serve, including 27 percent in the final set, compared to 68 percent for Klizan.
“To play a final like this, it’s sorry, especially for me,” Fognini said. “I don’t play my best tennis for sure today.”
Title for Wozniacki
In Seoul, former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki dropped just one game against Kaia Kanepi in the lop-sided final of the Korea Open yesterday for her first WTA title of the year.
The top-seeded Dane, currently ranked 11th, took just over an hour for a 6-1, 6-0 victory over the Estonian who had beaten her in the third round of French Open earlier this year.
“I just want to build up for the next season. And it’s been a long season so I want to have a holiday and relax,” the 22-year-old told reporters after winning the 19th WTA title of her career.
“I don’t think about ranking. I’m just happy I won the tournament. I would like to enjoy that. I want to be positive, and that’s what I’m thinking about right now.”
Tsonga hammers Seppi to retain Metz title
Tsonga hammers Seppi to retain Metz title
Lens cruise into French Cup quarters, Endrick sends Lyon through
- Goals by Florian Sotoca and Andrija Bulatovic, as well as a Abdallah Sima brace, saw surprise Ligue 1 title contenders Lens through their last-16 tie
PARIS, France: Lens reached the quarter-finals of the French Cup on Wednesday courtesy of a 4-2 win over Troyes, while an Endrick-inspired Lyon fought past second-division Laval.
Goals by Florian Sotoca and Andrija Bulatovic, as well as a Abdallah Sima brace, saw surprise Ligue 1 title contenders Lens through their last-16 tie.
Martin Adeline had levelled before half-time for second flight leaders Troyes before three goals in eight minutes early in the second period put Pierre Sage’s side firmly in charge.
At home to Ligue 2 strugglers Laval, Lyon struggled to break down their opponents until a moment of individual excellence by Real Madrid loanee Endrick.
Following a surging run from midfielder Pavel Sulc, the 19-year-old Brazilian burst through a challenge before unleashing a rasping drive from the edge of the box to open the scoring in the 80th minute.
It was Endrick’s fifth goal in as many outings for Lyon since arriving from the Santiago Bernabeu in late December.
“It’s really important to have scored my first goal on our home turf. This start at Lyon is truly a dream come true,” the forward said.
Lyon wrapped up their 11th consecutive victory in all competitions when Laval ‘keeper Maxime Hautbois inadvertently turned Afonso Moreira’s effort into his own net late in added time.
Struggling Nice pulled off a remarkable comeback in their last-16 tie against Montpellier to win 3-2.
The hosts found themselves trailing 2-0 midway through the second half before Kail Boudache halved the deficit with 18 minutes remaining on the clock.
Antoine Mendy netted on 89 minutes and looked to have forced extra-time, until Sofiane Diop shaped a fine curling effort beyond Montpellier goalkeeper Mathieu Michel seven minutes into injury time.
Lorient saw off fellow Ligue 1 outfit Paris FC with a 2-0 win thanks to a second-half goal by Noah Cadiou and a late Moustapha Mbow own goal.
Toulouse beat Ligue 2 Amiens 1-0 with Yann Gboho netting the winner six minutes before the interval.
