Tsonga ends Kyrgios´ Open 13 defence to set up all French final
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga ended Nick Kyrgios’ hopes of winning a second successive Open 13 title by eliminating the Australian to set up an all-French final.
Kyrgios won his first ATP title at this event in Marseille last year, but will not repeat the feat after Tsonga claimed a 7-6 (7-5) 2-6 6-4 victory.
Tsonga came from a break down to win the first set in a tie-break, but Kyrgios looked to have the momentum after a dominant second.
A break in the third game of the decider proved enough for Tsonga to wrap up the win as he goes in search of a third Open 13 title, having triumphed in 2009 and 2013.
.@tsonga7 does what hadn’t been done in almost 2 years v. #Kyrgios @Open13 to reach Sunday’s final. More: https://t.co/k3yUf02ec1 #ATP pic.twitter.com/QpfDioPEJV
— ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) February 25, 2017
His success sets up an all-French final against Lucas Pouille, who overcame compatriot Richard Gasquet 7-5 6-3.
Pouille won the final game of the first to move ahead and withstood a Gasquet comeback from 5-0 down in the second to reach his third career ATP final.
