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9/28/08 4:02 PM | Ricky Dimon
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga upsets Novak Djokovic on Sunday afternoon in Bangkok to finish off a victorious week at the Thailand Open. The win gives Tsonga the first ATP title of his career.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga would have preferred this outcome back in January, but he will certainly take it now.
Eight months after falling to Novak Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open, Tsonga avenged that setback by getting the best of Djokovic 7-6(4), 6-4 on Sunday afternoon in the Bangkok title match. It took Tsonga one hour and 41 minutes to capture the first ATP winner's trophy of his career.
Tsonga had been in stunning form all week, especially in wins over Jurgen Melzer and Gael Monfils, but at the beginning of this one, perhaps the moment and memories of his loss to Djokovic in Australia held him back. Djokovic seized an early break and did not come close to losing his own serve until 4-3 in the opening set. That's when Tsonga finally struck, capitalizing on his first break chance of the afternoon. The No. 2 seed's confidence soared with the change in momentum and it showed in the ensuing tiebreaker. Playing aggressive tennis and dictating play, Tsonga went up two mini-breaks early and held on to take the 'breaker seven points to four.
Djokovic was not about to throw in the towel, however, and he had his fair share of chances in the second set. The No. 1 seed saw two break points against his opponent's serve to go up 2-0, but Tsonga saved both of them and held. Huge serves and effective volleying, some right after the serve, allowed Tsonga to continue holding as the set progressed to 4-4. At that critical moment, the Frenchman broke through once again, giving himself an opportunity to close out the match at 5-4. He managed to do it, but not without some serious trouble and tense moments. Tsonga saved two more break points--five for five in the second set--and finally ended the tournament with an awesome serve-and-volley play off of a second serve.
That final point really embodied the whole day for Tsonga, who powered his way past the Serb. Tsonga fired eight aces and generally took it right to Djokovic, who finished with three aces. The result was a well-deserved highlight of the 20th-ranked player's career.
“I feel great, it's got to be one of the best moments of my life,” said Tsonga. “I just played unbelievable tennis against Novak and it was just my dream so I'm really happy.”
All-around incredible week for Tsonga.
Djokovic has not won a title since the Master Series Rome in May.
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I rooted for Djoker but Tsonga is an awesome player and deserves the Thai tittle 100%. Congrats.
posmatrac , 9/28/08 5:12 PM
great work by Tsonga..way to go
janhavi , 9/28/08 6:00 PM
unfortunate this result for novak!!
elle , 9/29/08 5:00 AM
good win 4jwt he looks great!
DejaBlue , 9/29/08 5:23 AM
Whhhooooooo Hooo!!!
Some Aus Open Revenge - Go Tsonga!!
BernieEliza , 9/29/08 5:40 AM
In spite of fact, I feel sorry Novak didn't get the medal, I have to admit, Tsonga was great, I like this guy, he's playing good tennis, he was better than our Nole, congratulations but Nole seems demotivated to me, anyway, Tsonga deserve it.
gordana , 9/29/08 9:16 AM
Tsonga back in the lime light, and that's a good thing for tennis. I saw him get crushed by Robredo up at the OPEN, but he's obviously in better form now. Nice article....Thnaks! SD
scoot , 9/30/08 2:35 AM
Did you know that... Rainer Schuettler defeated Andreas Seppi in Kitzbühel 2004 after having saved 10 match points.
janhavi, Nov 21, 2008 1:53 PM
janhavi, Nov 21, 2008 5:53 AM
james007, Nov 21, 2008 3:46 AM
Avalaine, Nov 20, 2008 9:06 PM
james007, Nov 20, 2008 8:03 AM
gordana, Nov 21, 2008 9:50 AM
tennisfan2, Nov 12, 2008 4:24 AM
elle, Nov 10, 2008 2:11 AM
Novak Djokovic
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Thailand Open
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Well done Tsonga!
EinarBerg , 9/28/08 4:07 PM