-
Tsonga survives opener, Querrey crushes Gulbis
11/1/11 4:33 PM | Ricky Dimon
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga comes back from a set down to beat Javier Marti on Tuesday in Valencia. Sam Querrey also advances with an easy win over Ernests Gulbis.
(2) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d. (WC) Javier Marti 4-6, 7-5, 6-2
Playing just two days after winning the Vienna title, Tsonga managed to hold off the upstart Spanish wild card in round one of the Valencia Open 500 on Tuesday afternoon. With nothing to lose, Marti came out firing and played near-flawless tennis in the first set. The 19-year-old faced no break points and struck for a break when it mattered most at 5-4.
Tsonga got back on track in the second, although he gave back an early break at 3-2. The Frenchman recovered when Marti double-faulted on break point at 5-5. This time Tsonga made no mistake with the lead in hand and he served it out to force a third. From there it was all over for the underdog, as Tsonga raced to victory in set three. Next up for Valencia's No. 2 seed is Sam Querrey.
Sam Querrey d. Ernests Gulbis 6-3, 6-4
Querrey took advantage of a slumping Gulbis to win his first ATP match since Queen's Club. The 6'6'' American held all 10 of his service games without facing a break point to prevail in just one hour and 11 minutes.
Gulbis donated serve once in each set and never could get it back because he won a mere three of 34 first-serve return points. Querrey, who has been on the Challenger circuit since returning from injury, fired 10 aces while double-faulting twice.
Find the latest tennis odds at Unibet.com