Rublev Upsets Tsonga With Comeback Victory In Marseille
Andrey Rublev recovered from a set down to defeat three-time former champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 on Tuesday at the Open 13 Provence.
The 21-year-old Russian earned his first victory in Marseille after one hour and 33 minutes, withstanding 13 aces and winning 71 per cent of service points (50/70). Rublev will meet Matteo Berrettini for a place in the quarter-finals. Berrettini, who saved eight set points in the first set, defeated eighth seed Jeremy Chardy of France 7-6(12), 7-6(0).
Tsonga, who lifted the title in Marseille in 2009, 2013 and 2017, drops to 11-4 this season. After missing seven months of the 2018 ATP Tour season following left knee surgery, the 33-year-old Frenchman has impressed throughout this year. Earlier this month, Tsonga lifted his 17th ATP Tour title in Montpellier (d. Herbert) and reached the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament quarter-finals (l. to Medvedev).
"I won the first set 6-2, then I was broken at the beginning of the second set. [Andrey] was very aggressive. I had some tough moments with my serve. He played better in the end," said Tsonga. "I feel that I played a lot of matches in a row and back-to-back tournaments. I have to get used to it again."
Fernando Verdasco saved three match points to beat Belarusian qualifier Egor Gerasimov 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. The fifth seed, who saved all three match points serving at 4-5 in the decider, fired 15 aces throughout the two-hour, 11-minute first-round meeting.
Peter Gojowczyk moved into the second round after 79 minutes, beating Damir Dzumhur 6-2, 6-4. The 29-year-old German, making his debut in Marseille, saved six of seven break points en route to victory and will meet two-time former champion Gilles Simon for a spot in the quarter-finals.
Lucky loser Sergiy Stakhovsky landed 10 aces to beat French qualifier Constant Lestienne 7-6(3), 1-6, 6-3. Benoit Paire also advanced, defeating Simone Bolelli 6-4, 7-6(1) to book a second-round clash against third seed David Goffin.
"I enjoyed the match because I was fighting a lot... We both played well today," said Paire. "I will have to do the same against Goffin. It will be a complicated match and I will give everything."