Del Potro denied as Tsonga wins Vienna

By Bill Scott Oct 31, 2011, 7:25 GMT

Vienna - Argentine Juan Del Potro gave his racquet bag a mighty kick after being broken in the seventh game of the final set as Jo-Wilfried Tsonga moved to a 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-4 victory and the title at Erste Bank Open on Sunday.

The top seeded Tsonga became the first French player to claim the trophy in the Austrian capital, leaving Del Potro with little joy after going down in two hours, 29 minutes

The Argentine had been hoping for his third title of the season after winning on hardcourt in Delray Beach in February and the clay of Estoril on May 1.

Bit the South American second seed came up short when it counted against Tsonga, who had lost all three previous matches to Del Potro.

Tsonga insured victory as he fired 25 aces and broke twice in the second set and once in the third.

'I had my chances but I didn't take them,' said Del Potro. 'He played better in the important moments. Jo played much better than me.

'After that re-break he played more aggressive, served unbelievable. It was really a different match after that moment.'

Former Austrian great Thomas Muster, who lost in the first round as his comeback at age 44 finally came to an end, was honoured with a farewell ceremony on court after the match.

Also appearing was 2001 Wimbledon winner Goran Ivanisevic, former rival of the Austrian. Tsonga was impressed with the affair. 'It was special that Thomas and Goran were there. Goran was one of my favourite players.'

The ninth-ranked Frenchman who had to make comebacks after losing opening sets in two of three matches this week, was forced repeat the process by Del Potro, whose big serve let him down with only seven aces.

Tsonga moves past Mardy Fish into seventh in the race for a year-end finals place in London from November 20. Del Potro is still in with an outside chance on provisional 11th for the eight-man field at the World Tour Finals.

'It's special to win my seventh title here,' said Tsonga. 'I knew I could only gain points for London if I got to the final. I did it in the end and I'm glad. I'm extremely happy.

'I was tight at the start and down after losing the tiebreaker. But I stayed tough and didn't give away any easy points.'

Despite the loss, Del Potro will move back to 11th in the world in the next rankings as he continues his climb after missing eight months of the 2010 season after right wrist surgery.

The South American has the December Davis Cup final with Spain in Seville on his mind, but it trying to concentrate on his matches over the next two weeks before worrying about the international team event.

His disappointment in Vienna was hard to miss. 'I really wanted to win this final,' said the 23-year-old, the 2009 US Open champion. 'But Jo was just too good on serve.

'Since I've had to make a comeback in the game, winning another title always means a lot. I'm getting closer to my best level but there is still a lot of work to do.

'I must prepare well for the rest of the season and for the Davis Cup final. The important thing for me it to keep focus. That is what I need to concentrate on.

'If I can do that it will help all of my game.'

Del Potro now stands 9-4 in career finals, and 2-1 this season. He was paying his first indoor final since the year-end event in 2009 in London, where he lost to Nikolay Davydenko.

Del Potro has climbed from number 484 in February to his current 15th.

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