Jo-Wilfried Tsonga won the Japan Open title on Sunday, beating Mikhail Youzhny 6-3, 6-3 in just over an hour. It wasn’t the most dramatic match, but it’s always nice to see the top seed make good, especially when that top seed is the gallant Jo-Wilfried. And we were treated to a snazzy trophy, too – I call this one Mr. Roboto:
After the match, I realized that Tsonga and Youzhny perform my two favorite post-victory routines:
There’s Tsonga’s exultant victory dance:
And Youzhny’s racquet salute:
Not to be confused with Youzhny’s racquet self-flagellation routine:
Side note – I also like Paradorn’s:
This one’s good, too:
Now, back to this weekend’s winners. . .
Novak Djokovic continued his perfect record against Marin Cilic, bringing the head-to-head to 4-0 after beating him 6-2, 7-6 (4) in the China Open final. It’s a nice win for Nole, who has now won three titles out of the eight finals he’s played this season.
After the match, Nole gave some smart answers to some Dumb Press Conference Questions:
Q: As a Serbian is there a special feeling to play against a Croatian?
DJOKOVIC: It doesn’t make any difference to be honest if I’m playing Croatian or whoever I’m playing. He’s one of my best friends, and I have always had best relations on the Tour with Serbian and Croatian guys, so it doesn’t make any difference to me.Q: It seems Chinese women are delighted by your charms. How do you feel about Chinese women?
DJOKOVIC: I don’t want to talk about too much details about what do I like in Chinese women or not. Certainly it’s flattering when I hear that I have so many fans in China, and it’s been a great experience for me participating in the tournaments here in Asia and in China especially where I’ve had the most amazing presence and situations that I’ve ever faced with a fan. Last year in Shanghai I got a letter from one fan that said she was waiting for 32 hours to see me and she got a hug, and that was the best moment of her life. When somebody tells you something like that, you must be very fulfilled. It’s a pleasure for me to win the title in front of those people.
Svetlana Kuznetsova beat Agnieszka Radwanska for the women’s China Open title: 6-2, 6-4. Sveta is already guaranteed a spot in the Year End Championships, but the $775,500 in prize money was likely reward enough. Though she admitted after the match “I didn’t realize that it (China Open) was such a high category and the amount of prize money until this morning.” Well, at least I’m not the only one who’s confused by the WTA’s tournament ranking system.
This photo really confused me:
In doubles action, the Bryan Brothers won their sixth title of the year with a dominant 6-4, 6-2 victory over the first-time pairing of Mark Knowles and Andy Roddick. But it’s nice to see a little friendly body bumping between opponents. (It’s hand’s down, belly out, Andy!)
In Tokyo, Austrians Julian Knowle and Jurgen Melzer won their second doubles title of the season after edging Ross Hutchins and Jordan Kerr 6-2, 5-7, 10-8.
Next up for the guys is the Shanghai Masters (actually, it’s already started!) and the WTA plays on in Linz and Osaka.
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