Jo-Wilfried Tsonga claims Montpellier title after blasting past Pierre-Hugues Herbert

Michael Graham
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga celebrating
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga celebrating

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has won his 17th career title, easily overpowering fellow Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert in Montpellier.

Tsonga has fallen outside the top 200 players in the world due to injury and needed a wildcard to enter the event, but eased to a 6-4 6-2 win.

“I am very happy with the way I played this week,” said Tsonga who missed over half of 2018 with a knee injury. “It was an amazing moment for me to win here in Montpellier.

“I have made many efforts to come back, so for me it is a good reward and I hope I will be able to continue playing at this level.”

The result will see Tsonga enjoy a big rankings jump, probably to inside the top 150, but leaves Herbert still searching for his first ATP Tour title.

“It was a tough match against Jo,” said Herbert.

“I knew it was going to be a hard match and he was all over me for the whole final.

“He was just the better player today. I am happy about my week, I played five matches at a high level and I am looking forward to the rest of season. [I will] try to keep up the good work.”

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