Jo-Wilfred Tsonga Takes Japan Open

1 month ago 12th Oct 11:28

Jo-Wilfred Tsonga triumphed in Tokyo against Mikhail Youzhny to move one step closer to the ATP World Tour finals in London.

The fight is now on for the last three places at the coveted end of season tournament that will be held at the O2 in November.

It was Tsonga's third ATP victory of the year as he saw off the Russian in straight sets 6-3 6-3.

Speaking after the match the Frenchman said: "I will celebrate in the plane to Shanghai with a beer and maybe a little dance. I played perfectly today, like I did yesterday. When I play like that it's tough for my opponents."

Tsonga broke the unseeded Russian in the eight game before going on to serve out the first set, wrapping it up with a 201kph ace.

There was more large serves and big hitting from Tsonga, who has had a mixed 2009, as he broke in the second to lead 4-3.

Despite his good run at the tournament Youzhny struggled with the pace and power that was raining down on from the other side of the net and his didn't win another game.

Tsonga wrapped up the match from there for a confidence boosting win. He now moves onto the Shanghai Masters as he tries to pick up more points to qualify for November's tournament,

Already qualified for the tournament are Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin Del Potro.

In the run for the final places include American Andy Roddick, who currently leads the chase for the final spots, Tsonga, Nikolay Davydenko, Fernando Verdasco and Gilles Simon.