Tsonga Boosts Finals Qualification Chances With Metz Title

© Le Republican LorrainJo-Wilfried Tsonga is bidding to clinch one of the four remaining singles spots at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga added 160 valuable points to his South African Airways 2011 ATP Year-To-Date Ranking by clinching the Moselle Open title to improve his chances of qualifying for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in November. Tsonga is currently No. 7 in the Battle for London, with four qualification spots up for grabs.

Tsonga became the third straight Frenchman to clinch the Metz singles title, following in the footsteps of Gilles Simon (2010) and Gael Monfils (2009), when he beat Croatian No. 4 seed and 2005 champion Ivan Ljubicic 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-3 in two hours and 37 minutes on Sunday.

Tsonga made it third time in lucky in ATP World Tour finals this year, having finished runner-up at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam (l. to Soderling) and the AEGON Championships in London (l. to Murray). He is now 6-3 lifetime in title matches.

The 26 year old received €72,600 in prize money, while 32-year-old Ljubicic picked up 150 South African Airways 2011 ATP Rankings points and a cheque for €38,200. The Croatian is 10-14 in finals.

"I am so happy to have won the title, it was a long time since I lifted a trophy and I am happy I was able to do here in Metz, in front of the French public," said Tsonga. "I knew it was going to be difficult. That's why I am not surprised about Ivan's come back in the second set. Matches against him are always based on two or three crucial points.

"I really feel good, I am happy on the tennis court, things are working well and I hope I can continue that way. My goal for the season is to qualify for London, I was there two years ago and I didn't play. I hope this time I will be able to play."

Tsonga hit seven aces and broke Ljubicic's serve in the first and seventh games in the 38-minute first set.

He could have opened up a 5-1 lead in the second set, but Ljubicic staged a revival. At 4-2, Tsonga recovered from 15/40, but double faulted for a third time on Ljubicic's third break point opportunity. Ljubicic won three of the next four games as the set headed for a tie-break.

Tsonga took a 4-2 lead in the tie-break, but Ljubicic won five straight points to take the 66-minute set - having dropped just 13 points on serve.

Tsonga regained his composure to break Ljubicic's serve in the third and ninth games of the deciding set to seal his first title since 11 October 2009 at the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo. It was Tsonga's 41st match win of the season (41-18 overall).

"I feel I played as well as I could today," admitted Ljubicic. "For some reason the balls were a little slower and I felt my serve wasn't as effective. It was becoming very physical. There was a lot of long rallies and with Jo being younger and stronger, it was not good for me.

"I didn't have the weapons to beat him today. He was dominating in every aspect of the game. He should have won the second set easily, but he complicated it. Matches against him are always similar. He pushes and pushes, so I need to play differently to stand a chance. I cannot overpower him and I almost did today.

"Of course I'd like to have won, but I am not disappointed. It's been a long time since I last played a final. I played well today and I hope I can keep playing like this."