Three-time winner Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to challenge Medvedev in Marseille
The 28th edition of the Open 13 Provence in Marseille will take place at the Palais des sports de Marseille between February 17-23, 2020, with the roots of this prestigious indoor event stretching back to 1993. Boris Becker, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Robin Soderling, Juan Martin del Potro and Nick Kyrgios had all won the title here and the organizers have been working on getting names for the next edition and chase the next big champion or promote the old one. The Russian finest duo of Daniil Medvedev and Karen Khachanov will compete for the title in Marseille, together with the three-time champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga who will make the tenth appearance at the Open 13 Provence.
The most decorated player of this event along with Marc Rosset and the crowd favorite made Marseille debut back in 2008, losing to Mario Ancic in the opening round in two tight sets before going all the way a year later, prevailing over Michael Llodra 7-5, 7-6 to lift the third ATP title in a career, failing to repeat that in the next three seasons. In 2013, Jo-Wilfried ousted Bernard Tomic and Tomas Berdych to become the champion for the second time, losing in the title match to Ernests Gulbis a year later. After skipping Marseille in 2015 and 2016, Tsonga made the best possible return in 2017, beating Gilles Simon, Nick Kyrgios and Lucas Pouille for the third and so far the last title in this Mediterranean town.
He had to skip the event in 2018 due to an injury that sidelined him from the court for seven months, dropping out from the top-200 and returning where he belongs in 2019 after conquering two indoor titles at home in Montpellier and in Metz on Sunday, cracking the top-40 for the first time since May last year. With 145 indoor ATP wins and 13 titles, Jo-Wilfried is one of the most successful active players under the roof, delivering his 120% in front of the home fans and standing as one of the favorites in Marseille again if he brings his best tennis.
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2mFdndT
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