Help
12/22/08 2:03 AM | David Cox
Gilles Simon ended the year in the best possible way by claiming the title at the French Masters, an eight player exhibition event in Toulouse. He was, however, a bit fortunate to win.
The French Masters is a sort of grand prix just for the French players and the winner is the one who accumulates the most points from the Toulouse exhibition and the four indoor ATPs: Marseille, Metz, Lyon, and Paris Masters.
Having made the Metz final and the semis of Marseille, Paul-Henri Mathieu was the leader going in to the event, but he fell in his group decider match to Michael Llodra 6-4, 6-4. Predictably, world No. 7 Gilles Simon was the other finalist, having proved too strong for Julien Benneteau 6-3, 7-5.
It was an intriguing final matchup given Simon's recent rise to the top of the men's game, but Llodra had won both their previous matches in straight sets.
Simon started brilliantly, breaking in the opening game and he surged to a 5-1 lead. However, a complete meltdown ensued. For six games Simon could not make anything off his forehand, and Llodra gratefully steamrollered through to take the set 7-5.
Slightly shell-shocked, Simon dropped serve immediately at the start of the second, but Llodra let him back in with a concentration lapse of his own and the players proceeded to exchange three breaks. The quality finally picked up again and the set headed to a tiebreak. Llodra was on the verge of the title, but showing the fighting spirit which has earned him so much reward this year, Simon pulled it out 9-7.
With both players starting to produce their best at the same time, the decisive champions tiebreak should have been a cracker, but Llodra called the trainer, complaining of an arm injury and had to retire.
"I have had problems with this arm in the past and I'd rather not take any risks," he apologized.
Simon defended Llodra's decision. "It is best that Mika (Llodra) doesn't run the risk of aggravating the injury," he said. "I am very happy to win this event. I came here to get some match practice and build up confidence ahead of 2009 and I've achieved that."
In the third place playoff, Benneteau defeated Mathieu 5-7, 6-4, 10-4.
Tell a friend »
Scan QR code to access Unibet mobile.
Bet on Sports wherever you are and whenever you like, with Unibet's quick and simple mobile client you can place bets, check results and see live odds.
For more info about QR codes & scanners click here.
Contact us
/ About us
/ Cookies
/ Recommended links
/ Advertise
/ Sitemap
Tennistalk v1.5.0
Disclaimer © 2001-2012, Moneytainment Media Ltd - All rights reserved
