Tsonga Makes Metz History

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga became the first man to win four titles at the Moselle Open on Sunday, beating Aljaz Bedene 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 6-3.

The 34-year-old improved to 4-1 in championship matches at the ATP 250 event after two hours and 47 minutes, holding each of his 17 service games and dropping just four first-serve points (49/53) en route to victory. Tsonga becomes the ninth French champion in the past 11 editions of the tournament. Since Gael Monfils’ title run in 2009, David Goffin (2014) and Peter Gojowczyk (2017) are the only non-French players to lift the trophy in Metz.

“Mentally, I was very strong. I served really well when I needed to,” said Tsonga. “The match was not easy at all. Aljaz was playing really well and it was a long match, I am definitely happy to win here again.”

Metz Champions Since 2009

Tsonga has now won 10 of his 18 ATP Tour trophies on home soil. The four-time Metz winner also owns three Marseille crowns (2009, ’13, ’17), alongside individual triumphs at the 2008 Rolex Paris Masters, 2017 Open Parc Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes Lyon and this year’s Open Sud de France. The victory comes one year after Tsonga returned to the ATP Tour in Metz, following a seven-month absence due to left knee surgery.

After a tight opening set, Bedene proved the more solid player in the tie-break. The 30-year-old sprinted into a commanding 4/0 lead, capitalising on a series of Tsonga forehand errors before pressuring the Frenchman with trips into the net to claim the set after 57 minutes.

But Tsonga’s forehand proved to be the crucial factor in the following tie-break, as the Frenchman forced a decider with a series of powerful strikes to level the match. Tsonga carried that attacking mindset into the decider, winning the opening 14 points to charge into a 3-0 lead, before clinching the crown on his first championship point with a crosscourt forehand winner.

“It was a very difficult match. I stayed calm, focussed on doing the basics well and waited for the right moment to change the rallies,” said Tsonga.

Bedene was aiming to capture his maiden tour-level trophy in his fourth championship match. The Slovenian defeated two seeded opponents — Gilles Simon and Benoit Paire — to reach his first final since the Argentina Open last February.

“I only lost serve twice this week, so that is probably the best serving week of my career,” said Bedene. “I had chances today. I had a set, 4-3 and a break point. He served well and I picked the wrong side, but it was close and it could have gone either way. I am disappointed. I wanted to win, but I am also happy with the week.”

Tsonga earns 250 ATP Ranking points and collects €90,390 in prize money. Bedene receives 150 ATP Ranking points and receives €48,870.