Tsonga Seeks Second Marseille Crown Against Berdych; Spaniards Ferrer, Lopez Also In Finals

by Staff | February 23rd, 2013, 11:47 pm
  • 17 Comments

Two of the games biggest power players will clash in the Marseille final Sunday when Tomas Berdych squares off against 2009 champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Their path to the finale, fairly similar at least for today. Tsonga ousted his countryman Gilles Simon 6-2, 6-3 while top-seeded Berdych crushed qualifier Dimitry Tursunov 6-2, 6-1.

“I wanted to step on the court and be strong, because you never know what could happen with him,” said Berdych. “I was focused from the very first point… Finally, I’m able to play well here. I came here many times but I didn’t do well. I still have one more to go, so I want to finish in the best possible way.”

Berdych seeks a ninth overall ATP title, Tsonga a 10th, 5th in France. But Berdych has beaten the Frenchman four of five times including three wins last year.


Tsonga saved five matchpoints in a win Friday over Bernard Tomic.

A pair of Spaniards will be bidding for Sunday titles in the Americas. In Memphis, Feliciano Lopez will meet Kei Nishikori for the US Indoors trophy.

“He is a great player, he’s in very good shape,” Lopez said of Nishikori. “I think it’s going to be a tough match, he’s very fast-moving all around the court and I have be aggressive and play my best tennis if I want to win.”

Lopez turned away Denis Istomin in three sets. Nishikori advanced when his opponent, Marinko Matosovic, retired after losing the first set with a foot injury.

In Buenos Aires, Spanish No. 1 David Ferrer is making the most of his 2013 clay debut. The World No. 4 easily bested countryman Tommy Robredo 6-3, 6-2. He’ll meet Stanislas Wawrinka in the Sunday final after the Swiss upset No. 2 seed Nicolas Almagro.

Two women’s titles were handed out on Saturday. In Dubai, Petra Kvitova won her 10th career crown topping Sara Errani 6-2, 1-6, 6-1 in a topsy-turvy title bout.

“I’m glad how I’m playing right now – that’s the important thing for me,” said Kvitova who led Serena Williams 4-1 in the third last week in Doha. “I’m not thinking this is a turning point or a turning tournament for me. Yes, it was a lot of great players here and it was hard to beat them, but I’m still just thinking about my game. That’s the priority for me.”

In Memphis, Marina Erakovic claimed her first career WTA title. Erakovic won the first set over Sabine Lisicki 6-1 before the teary-eyed German abruptly retired at the start of the second.


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17 Comments for Tsonga Seeks Second Marseille Crown Against Berdych; Spaniards Ferrer, Lopez Also In Finals

Kimmi Says:

Has tsonga ever beaten big bird before ? he has lost them all recently..and today, it doesn’t look good.


courbon. Says:

@Kimmi;I think Tsonga beated him only once and Bedrych get him 3 or 4 times.They actually play rearlly against each other-just recently.


Kimmi Says:

unbelievable, big bird was to take this but tsonga hangs on to take the second set.

it looked like a straight set win for berdych, he had all the chances but as usual chokes on big points.


Kimmi Says:

thanks courbon! i just couldn’t remember a win by tsonga, berdych seem to have his number at the moment.

lets hope tsonga takes this one.


Kimmi Says:

big bird complaining to the umpire that tsonga when receiving jumping up and down which is a hindrance to him also taking longer than 25 sec when serving. umpire doesn’t think so.

yap! this match is frustrating berdych at the moment.


Kimmi Says:

congratulations to tsonga, what a match. great comeback!


steve-o Says:

Tsonga victorious! Congrats to him!


courbon. Says:

Good!I like Tsonga so I’m happy with his win.
Hi Kimmi, you are right-Bedrych won last 3 matches I think.Anyway, nice win for Tsonga.


alison Says:

Congrats to Tsonga,im just sorry i didnt get to see Berdych getting his ass kicked,anyway well done Jo so pleased for you,hope it translates and he has a good run at the slams now,hes a fantastic player to watch,so go Jo.


Radu Says:

very good tennis played by Petra Kvitova


Humble Rafa Says:

Mohammad Ali=King of the Minor League.

Birdshit=Queen of the minor league


Wog boy Says:

It looks like Berdych doesn’t have too many fans.


alison Says:

^ Berdych is the cutest male tennis player there is,but also the most arrogant,irritating and annoying,proof positive that looks alone dont always cut it,shame as the guy is a very talented player with alot to offer^.


Tennis Blog Says:

The Spaniards are doing really well without Nadal. It seems like with Rafa’s apsense we discovered the real power of Spanish tennis. Although without him It’s not the same ;)


alison Says:

Tennis Blog Lopez is a set and a break down to Nishikori ATM.


alison Says:

Nishikori beats Lopez in straight sets 6/2,6/3,well done Kei love this young Japenese kid,ive picked him for the end of year top 10,he has the game to challenge the best players he beat Nole in 2011,and JWT last year at the AO,would also love for him to make a run at the GS this year.


Kimmi Says:

Love Kei too. Too bad I missed the match. Congratulations Kei.

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