ATP Montpellier: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga returns in glory for title number 17
A former world no. 5 and one of the finest indoor players on the Tour in the last ten years, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has been through all kind of stuff in the last 12 months, suffering a massive knee injury here in Montpellier last February and staying away from the court for seven months. Ranked outside the top-200, Tsonga returned to Montpellier to conquer the 17th ATP title and the first since Antwerp in 2017, defeating the 7th seed Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-4, 6-2 in an hour and 13 minutes to become the seventh French winner of this event in nine years.
This was their third meeting and Jo scored as many wins, losing just three games against the younger opponent here in Montpellier two years ago and standing as the dominant figure today as well, losing nine points on serve and scoring three breaks to control the scoreboard all the time. Pierre-Hugues Herbert has been off to a great start of the season in singles although he will still have to wait for his first ATP title, unable to create more damage with his first serve and get free points that would have kept him in contention longer. Both players delivered some superb tennis in the first four matches and nothing could separate them in the first eight games, with no deuces or any chance for the returners.
That all changed in game nine when Tsonga scored a break with a return winner, moving 5-4 up and closing the opener with a hold at love for a 6-4. The momentum was on Jo's side now and he kicked off the second set with a return winner that gave him a huge lead, extending the gap with another break in game five that propelled him closer to the finish line. Serving for one of the most important titles in a career, Tsonga blasted a service winner for a hold at love at 5-2, lifting the trophy and making the best possible comeback after a rough year he has had.
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2Snre7H
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