Tsonga wins South African Tennis Open

Johannesburg, South Africa -- Jo-Wilfried Tsonga defeated fellow Frenchman Jeremy Chardy in straight sets Sunday to win the South African Tennis Open in Johannesburg.

The top-seeded Tsonga out-fought Chardy 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) for his third victory on the ATP tour.

"Every time I play finals now my level is going up and I play great, so it is good," Tsonga said.

The match was close all the way and stayed on serve in the second set until

Tsonga finally ended it in the tie-breaker.

Tsonga saved eight break points.

"I had so many break points and I missed every time," Chardy said. "I think that was the difference today."

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.