Wawrinka clinches Geneva title ahead of French Open
GENEVA: Top seed Stan Wawrinka defended his Geneva claycourt title on Saturday, rallying from a set down to see off German outsider Mischa Zverev 4- 6, 6- 3, 6- 3.
The Swiss player’s first trophy of the season gives the 32- yearold world No. 3 a boost ahead of the French Open — which he won in 2015 — and where he opens against Slovak Jozef Kovalik on Monday.
After losing the first set to qualifier Zverev, the older brother of Alexander Zverev who stunned Novak Djokovic in the Rome Masters final, three- time Grand Slam winner Wawrinka needed 2 hours 20 minutes to seal victory.
Zverev, 29, had been bidding for his maiden tour title the 33rd- ranked player’s first final appearance in seven years.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga warmed up for the French Open by winning his first clay title in Lyon on Saturday, a 7- 6 ( 7/ 2), 7- 5 victory over Czech Thomas Berdych.
France’s Tsonga, seeded second, hit 13 aces to claim his third title after Marseille and Rotterdam — both on hard court — a r ecord for him in a season.
The 32-year-old Tsonga will open his campaign at Roland Garros — where he twice reached the semifinals — against Argentine Renzo Olivo, a first round casualty in Lyon.
“It’s fabulous, I couldn’t be happier,” said Tsonga. “I had a great week after a difficult period on a physical level, picking up a shoulder injury while I was in fine form.
“It’s my first title on clay and even if it comes a little late I’m really happy.”
The 13th- ranked French player will move up to 11th in the world in Monday’s ATP rankings.
It was Tsonga’s fifth win over third- seeded Berdych in thirteen meetings and his second in three meetings on clay.
Berdych, ranked 14th and the holder of 13 ATP titles, missed the chance to convert two set points while he lead 5- 4, 40- 15 on his serve in the first set.