SA and Aussie pairing fails to deliver in doubles final
Johannesburg 8 February 2009.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was crowned champion of the 2009 SA Tennis Open and in the process the wily Frenchman pocketed the winner's cheque of R800 000 at Montecasino on Sunday. Even on a day when the top seeded Muhammad Ali look-alike battled to find his rhythm in difficult high altitude conditions, he wore down fellow Frenchman Jeremy Chardy on his way to a 6-4 7-6(5) victory.
Tsonga said afterwards that inexperience counted heavily against his countryman on the day. “I think Jeremy played well but was let down by lack of experience when it mattered most. There were times when he took a lot of risks, and it did not always come good for him. This was his first ATP World Tour final, he now has the experience of playing in a final and I am sure he will do well in the future.
It is always hard starting the match on serve but what is important is that I improved as the match progressed. This result is good for me as it keeps me on course; for me to get in the top ten, I have to win at least two tournaments and now that I have the SA Tennis Open in the bag so early in the year, I can now play the rest of the year without too much pressure”, he added.
Tsonga was impressed with the organisation and facilities at the event. “I think the tournament was well prepared for a first time edition. Everything was great and the only notable problem for me was the high altitude but that is the nature of tennis, one has to adapt in different weather conditions.
Chardy said his unforced errors came about because of the risks he took in order to impose himself on the game. "I try to make winners but in doing so I make mistakes," said Chardy. "If the chances I take come off then I have winners instead of mistakes."
In the doubles final played earlier, American James Cerretani and Dick Norman of Belgium registered a 6-7(7) 6-2(12) win against local star and Davis Cup veteran Rik de Voest who partnered Australian Ashley Fisher. The result was hard on the De Voest/Fisher combination who had a championship look about it in the second set, which they won emphatically, to force the contest into a tie-breaker. However it was Cerretani and Norman who walked away with the coveted Kudu horn trophies and a flattering purse of R250,500
SA Tennis Open media contacts:
Marks Mokolobate, marks@thebldgroup.com, +27 83 300 8268
Bruce Davidson, bruce@thebldgroup.com, +27 83 212 2401