Grosjean Doubles-Up in Titles at ATP LyonPosted on October 28, 2007 Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean ended a five-year title drought with a flourish on Sunday at the Grand Prix de Tennis de Lyon, defeating unseeded countryman Marc Gicquel 7-6(5), 6-4 for the singles title. Grosjean then teamed with young countryman Jo-Wilfred Tsonga in the doubles final, where the two made good on their wildcard by topping the Polish-Czech duo of Lukasz Kubot and Lovro Zovko 6-4, 6-3.
In the singles final the No. 81-ranked Grosjean delivered 17 aces, handing Gicquel his second straight loss in a Lyon final. Grosjean had failed to reach a semifinal in 2007 entering the event. "This season wasn't a very good one for me and it's great to finally win a title and enjoy myself on court again," Grosjean said. "I also want to thank my coach Bernard Fritz. He was there for me when it didn't go well this summer and it's great to win this title with him in my box. We've known each others for a long time and he's almost like a second father to me." Grosjean became the third player this year to win the singles and doubles titles at the same event, after Xavier Malisse (Chennai and Delray Beach) and Philipp Kohlschreiber (Munich). Gicquel defeated Grosjean in last year's Lyon quarterfinals. "Last year I didn't play very well in the Lyon final," Gicquel said. "This year I got closer. Sebastien served well and played very solid. He was really constant during the whole match." The doubles victory brought Grosjean's partner Tsonga his first career ATP title. "This is a very special win for me since it's my first ATP title," Tsonga said. "Whatever happens, this will always be in my heart. I want to thank Sebastien for a great week." |
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