News of the day - 2013

THE CHAMPION IS JO !

Jo-Wilfreid Tsonga captures the title in Marseille by dominating Tomas Berdych in the final 3-6 7-6 6-4 in 2h10.

The first set begins with no real rhythm. Both players are very cautious waiting to see who will take the first step. And the first move is made by Berdych, who, up 2-1, is offered three break points. Tsonga manages to save. In his next service game, again Tsonga is under pressure and this time cannot save. Berdych breaks. Up 5-3, Berdych serve's out the set to go up one set love.

At one apiece in the second, Tsonga is again under pressure. He stays alive thanks to his first serve but the situation is getting tougher and tougher for Tsonga. Berdych is much more solid on all aspects of the game especially on the serve. At four all, again Tsonga has to once again defend a break point. He does that thanks to a powerful backhand down the line and continues to force Berdych to play catch-up tennis.In the tie-breaker Tsonga is up 4-&, but a double fault allows Berdych to come back. The Czech does not only come back, he gets a match point perfectly defended by an ace from Tsonga. Two points later, and a missed backhand by Berdych, Tsonga comes back t one set apiece.

In the third set, Tsonga finally gets his first break points. Thanks to a solid backhand return, Tsonga breaks and leads for the first time in the match. He consolidates to go up 3-&. FRom then on there would be no more breaks. And up 40-15, Berdych's return of serve stays in the net and gives Tsonga his second title in Marseille after his victory in 2009.