Tsonga progresses in Monte Carlo at third attempt

15 April 2014 05:13

Ninth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga booked the first of the second-round spots at the Monte Carlo Masters on Tuesday in a hard-fought 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 victory over German Philipp Kohlschreiber.

Tsonga needed just under two hours to go through in front of an enthusiastic crowd, with the seed taking a medical timeout on the way to finally securing victory on his third match point.

The winner managed four aces and broke Kohlschreiber twice from seven chances.

He now leads the series against the German number one 7-1, with his only loss occurring in 2009.

Tsonga turned in a welcome victory for France after two compatriots enjoyed mixed fortunes in the first round at the Monte Carlo Country Club.

France's Julian Benneteau advanced over Austrian Jurgen Melzer 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 but Russian Teimuraz Gabashvili handed a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 loss to Gilles Simon.

Tsonga is playing the tournament for a fifth time, with a 2013 semi-final his best result at an event the French consider a "home" tie.

The ninth seed continued his tradition of never losing in a Monte Carlo opening match.

Source: AFP