Jet-Lagged Tsonga Falls to Kooyong Tennis Loss
Austrian Jurgen Melzer beat France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-4, 6-3 in demanding conditions on Wednesday at the Kooyong Classic, a warm-up event for the Australian Open.
In the second match on court at the eight-man exhibition tournament, Australian teenager Bernard Tomic recovered from a set down to beat world number seven Tomas Berdych 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Tsonga, ranked sixth, came into the tournament on a high after beating compatriot Gael Monfils to win in Doha at the weekend but admitted he had not yet adjusted to the time difference.
Wind was a constant factor on court in a match delayed for more than an hour as storms passed through the city.
"I'm not feeling very well. I still have jet-lag. We train a lot and we all want to be ready for the Open. Today was difficult with the conditions," said Tsonga.
"It is difficult to play in the wind. I'm not used to it any more. I play most of my matches in big stadiums where there is little wind. When we return to conditions like this, it's difficult for us," he added.
Melzer, ranked 33rd, moves into the promotion round of the four-day event and next plays the winner from the match between Canadian Milos Raonic, winner of last week's Chennai Open, and America's Mardy Fish.
"We had really tough conditions but when the wind wasn't blowing I hit some good shots," said Melzer. "It's always good to get a win over a top 10 guy.
"I had some good form today. I hope to keep it up this week and straight through to the Open."
Tomic, 19, also found the wind a challenge, saying the game he had to play on court was "not tennis" but said it was good preparation for next week's Australian Open.
"It's good to play in the wind before the Australian Open," said the 2011 Wimbledon quarter-finalist. "I had to just slice and try to keep the ball in the court. The winner is going be the guy who can do that, but anything can happen.
"I played well. I'm happy. I'll take a lot out of this week. It's the most serious exhibition you can have, it's not a show. It was a good match for preparation."
In the day's final match Monfils was due to face American Andy Roddick, a three-time winner.
Source: Agence France Presse
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