VIENNA, October 27, 2017

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga knocked out the top seed of the Erste Bank Open 500 in Vienna on Friday. The 32-year-old Frenchman beat Alexander Zverev of Germany, who had to cope with stomach flu symptoms, 7-6, 6-2.

The eighth seed struck 10 aces, winning 76 per cent of his first service points to seal victory in one hour and 32 minutes. Next up for the eight seed will be another German in person of Philipp Kohlschreiber, who edged past Diego Schwartzman of Argentina 7-5, 7-6.

“The first set was key today,” said Tsonga. “I did my best and I am very happy. I hope for another final here”

Tsonga is up to the No. 15 spot in the ATP Race to London with 2,190 points and is the only seed remaining in the ATP World Tour 500 tournament. If he goes on to capture his fifth title of the season, he will have 2,510 points, which would put him just 95 points behind Pablo Carreno Busta, who currently holds the final qualifying spot.

Earlier in the day, Kyle Edmund defeated Jan-Lennard Struff from Germany 6-2, 7-5. The 22-year-old Briton won 57 per cent of the total points played to Lucas Pouille in the semi-finals. The World No. 25 emerged victorious from the all-French-encounter with Richard Gasquet 7-6, 6-1.