Tsonga downs Youzhny to win Japan Open

Tokyo:

Second-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France defeated Russian Mikhail Youzhny 6-3, 6-3 on Sunday to win the Japan Open for his third title of the season.

Tsonga, who hit 11 aces, set up match point with a crosscourt volley and then won the match in 1 hour, 9 minutes with another volley at the net.

"Today, I played perfect, just like yesterday," Tsonga said. "When I play like that it is tough for my opponent to win."

Tsonga advanced the final with a 6-3, 6-3 win over compatriot Gael Monfils on Saturday. The world's seventh-ranked player notched his third title of the season, following wins at Johannesburg and Marseille.

Top-ranked Roger Federer pulled out of the $1.2 million event, citing fatigue, along with third-ranked Andy Murray of Britain, who withdrew because of a wrist injury.

Austrian pair Julian Knowle and Jurgen Melzer won the doubles title, edging Britain's Ross Hutchins and Australia's Jordan Kerr 6-2, 5-7, 10-8.

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