Jo-Wilfried Tsonga defeated Michael Llodra 7-5, 7-6 (3) in an all-French final at the Open 13 to win his second ATP title of the season. He also won the Johannesburg tournament two weeks ago and is now 4-1 all-time in ATP finals.

"I almost didn't come here. I couldn't tell you that my father was operated on this week. Today, I dedicate this win to him," said Tsonga.

Alluding back to his win over Djokovic, he added: "With this tournament I showed I was capable of beating one of the world's top players once again and that I was ready to make the step up to join the big guys."


"It was a great week for me," said Tsonga. "I played perhaps my best tennis since the start of the year and I'm really happy about that."

Llodra struggled with his serve against Tsonga, who had 11 aces.

"It was really close," Llodra said. "But I did not land enough first serves to trouble him."

Llodra had his left shoulder massaged by a trainer after the end of the first set.

"The accumulation of singles and doubles matches is not easy to handle," said the left-handed Llodra, who also reached the doubles final and he turned his thoughts to the doubles alongside Arnaud Clement.

"I'd have liked to finish off in better fashion but there's always the doubles."

"Overall it's been an amazing week for me.

"In my 12-year career I never passed the second round at a French tournament so it feels really good to have reached the final here in Marseille in front of my friends and family."


(photo/Reuters Pictures)

Tsonga beats Llodra to win Marseille title