Tennis: Tsonga edges Llodra to win title in France
Associated Press
MARSEILLE, France — Jo-Wilfried Tsonga won his second ATP title of the season, edging Michael Llodra 7-5, 7-6 (3) Sunday in an all-French final at the Open 13.
The 12th-ranked Tsonga clinched the match with an ace in the tiebreaker after Llodra double-faulted and missed a routine smash.
"I'm really happy to have won, especially since I was about not to come," Tsonga said. "My dad underwent surgery five days ago. I dedicate this victory to him. He may be listening from his hospital bed. I give him big kisses."
Llodra struggled with his serve against the 23-year-old Tsonga, who had 11 aces.
"It was really close," Llodra said. "But I did not land enough first serves to trouble him."
Llodra had his left shoulder massaged by a trainer after the end of the first set.
"The accumulation of singles and doubles matches is not easy to handle," said the left-handed Llodra, who also reached the doubles final.
Tsonga won the SA Tennis Open two weeks ago in Johannesburg, South Africa. He improved his record to a tour-best 19-3.