Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beat David Nalbandian 6-3 4-6 6-4 and became the first Frenchman since 2001 (Sebastian Grosjean) who won Paris-Bercy. Tsonga like Grosjean 7 year ago, secured a place in Masters Cup right after the final. Tsonga started his first encounter against Nalbandian in a great style, winning quickly first three games. Since then Nalbandian raised the level of own game and held his service games comfortably.
At 4:3 in the second set Nalbandian had triple break point but inspired Tsonga saved them all. At 5:4 Nalbandian had triple break point again and this time converted first opportunity after Tsonga’s unforced error from the baseline. Decisive break of the third set came in the third game – Tsonga broke Nalbandian’s serve to lead 2:1. The Frenchman had problems with his backhand but held service games, especially thanks to great serve (25 aces in the match – the most in career so far) and was only two points from winning the title at 5:3 (30-15).
Nalbandian escaped with a couple of good serves and in the next game for the third time in the match had tripe break point, though brave Tsonga (two risky second serves, at 0-40 and 30-40) won 5 points in a row and captured his second ATP title of the season. The final lasted exactly 2 hours.
“I think everyone contributed to my victory today, this one’s for you,” Tsonga told the home crowd. “This ends a great season for me. I’ve played really well and the cherry on the cake is that I will go to Shanghai.”
“He’s a great player and has played brilliantly all week,” Nalbandian said. “He deserves this title.”
Tsonga now will become the No. 1 French player and join countryman Gilles Simon in Monday’s Top 10 – the first time since October 3, 1988 (Yannick Noah No. 8; Henri Leconte No. 10) two French players are in the Top 10.
Paris – Final
(13)Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) d. (8)David Nalbandian (ARG) 6-3 4-6 6-4
