• ATP Tour

Llodra wins battle of the Frenchmen in Marseille

ESPN staff
February 21, 2010
Michael Llodra lost to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the Marseille final last year © Getty Images
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Michael Llodra claimed the fourth title of his career with a 6-3 6-4 victory over Julien Benneteau in an all-French final at the Open 13 tournament in Marseille.

Llodra, who was runner-up in Marseille last year, served 14 aces as he went one better to see off his compatriot in a little over an hour and 10 minutes. In a tightly fought contest, it was the big-serving Llodra who came out on top, dropping just four points on his first serve.

While Benneteau claimed the scalp of second and third seeds Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils en route to the final, Llodra was required to see off top seed Robin Soderling, and the world No. 79 will almost certainly see his ranking rise after this victory, his first title in two years.

"After I lost in the final here last year, I'm glad I managed to get over it," Llodra told Sport+ channel. "I had set myself one aim this year and that was to win a tournament in France at last. I'm proud."

Meanwhile Benneteau, who is yet to win a tour title despite being ranked 40 places above his opponent, was gracious in defeat. "My previous matches have been tough and long but that is not the reason why I lost," he said. "I lost because of Michael Llodra. I can only say 'hats off to him' as he served extremely well. I've had no break point. It's tough to end a tournament this way but I couldn't do anything."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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