Tsonga edges Berdych to win maiden clay-court title at Open Parc Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga claimed the first clay-court title of his career as he edged Tomas Berdych in two tight sets to win the Open Parc Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes Lyon.
Tsonga had already won two ATP titles this year in Rotterdam and Marseille and, ahead of the French Open, added a third in the inaugural edition of the ATP 250 tournament.
The Frenchman delighted the home crowd by earning a 7-6 (7-2) 7-5 triumph against his Czech opponent.
Tsonga saved set points to hold and level the first set at 5-5, and went on to dominate the tie-break, which he wrapped up when Berdych smashed a forehand wide.
The second set also looked set to be decided by a shoot-out, Berdych snuffing out a break point for Tsonga at 4-3 down.
However, from 30-0 in the final game of the set, Berdych collapsed, Tsonga fighting back to go 40-30 up and then being handed the victory as the world number 14 double-faulted at the worst possible time.
Moving on to @rolandgarros in style!
Congratulations @tsonga7 pic.twitter.com/1cKqkm9AYD
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 27, 2017
