METZ, September 26, 2015
Two Frenchmen will compete in Sunday’s final of the 13th edition of the Moselle Open in a re-match of the 2013 climax.
Second seed Gilles Simon, who claimed the title back then, defeated sixth seed Martin Klizan for the third time in the pair’s third tour meeting, winning 6-4, 6-4 in the first semi-final. The 30-year-old from French won 65% of his first service points and converted four of six break point chances to seal victory in one hour and 36 minutes. Simon has reached his second final of the season, following his triumph in Marseille in February.
“It’s great to be in the final in Metz,” said Simon. “I have a lot of memories. It’s one of my most successful tournaments. Every time I won it, I had a child in the month before. My wife and my son being here in 2013 and lifting the trophy in front of them was a nice memory.”
Third favourite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beat fifth seed Philipp Kohlschreiber, winning 6-3, 6-4. The world number 17 from Le Mans gained his eighth victory over the German in the ninth encounter between the two. Tsonga fired 13 aces and didn’t have to save break point to advance to his first final of the season.
Tsonga and Simon will clash for the tenth time with Tsonga leading 6-3 in head to head records. The 30-year-old also won the last meeting at the Australian Open in 2014.
