By Chris Soderstrom
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga became the first Frenchman in seven years to win the BNP Paribas Masters title in Paris when he defeated defending champion David Nalbandian yesterday.
The 13 th seed showed nerves of steel to dispatch his favored opponent 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, and now finds himself on the roster for the season-ending Shanghai Masters event after sewing up the seventh place.
Tsonga was ecstatic to become the first Frenchman since Sebastian Grosjean in 2001 to win before the home crowd, and immediately set his sights to Shanghai.
“I’m going to go there ( Shanghai) really to represent France and all my family and my friends,” said the Le Mans native after seizing his first Masters title. “I’m going to represent everyone and I’m going to give my best.”
“I think the Masters will be a very important moment for me. Maybe another great victory could maybe replace this one.”
Having started the season ranked No. 43, Tsonga now finds himself inside the Top 10 with Gilles Simon (10); the first time since 1988 (Yannick Noah No. 8, Henri Leconte No. 10) that two French players have been in the Top 10.
Nalbandian, who would have qualified for Shanghai had he won, will now shift his attention to Argentina’s decisive Davis Cup clash against Spain in Mar del Plata from November 21 to 23.