Tsonga books Shanghai spot after Paris Masters victory
November 3, 2008
In my previous tennis post I mentioned that the winner of the Paris Masters wins a double prize. That is a Masters title which in itself is a prestiguous title, they also would claim a spot in the season ending Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is that man. He claimed the title and his ticket to Shanghai with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory over the defending champion David Nalbandian. The Masters Series title was the first for Tsonga. It was made even more special seeing he was playing in his home country. Tsonga is from a place better known for motorsport rather than tennis, Le Mans. Perhaps he will change all that.
Tsonga showed at the start of the year that he would one day challenge for a place at the top of world tennis. Injury slowed him down in the middle part of the season but now he is back.
“I’m going to go there (Shanghai) really to represent France and all my family and my friends,” said Tsonga. “That’s it. I’m going to represent everyone and I’m going to give my best. I think the Masters will be a very important moment for me. Maybe another great victory could maybe replace this one.”
In the match against Nalbandian, Tsonga got off to a fast start breaking his Argentine opponent in the second game of the match. A double fault by Nalbandian made his job easier. With that break Tsonga was able to close out the first set.
Nalbandian hit back in the second. Tsonga serving at 4-4 in the set fell behind 0-40. He served his way out of trouble in that game and looked like he might be able to get to a tie-break to have a go at winning the set and the title. He did however stumble again in his next service game to hand Nalbandian the set.
In the crucial third set Tsonga again got an early break, this time in the third game. He then managed to ride out that break to get to a position to win the set. He almost gave it away when serving for the match at 5-4. Tsonga playing nervously slipped to 0-40. With the help of an ace, his 25th for the match Tsonga finally brought up a match point and with that he sealed the deal.
Nalbandian was attempting to become the first player since 1986 to win back-to-back titles in Bercy since 1986. Despite missing his place in the Tennis Master Cup all is not lost for Nalbandian. He will be fighting for the Davis Cup when Argentina face Spain in the final in Argentina, November 21-23.
With Tsonga now heading for Shanghai I am tipping him to take the title.
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