Marseilles (AFP)

Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga earned his first victory since 2019 and his return from a serious injury last month in Montpellier on Tuesday, beating Spain's Feliciano Lopez 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 in the first round of the ATP tournament in Marseille.

"It's amazing for me. It's like the best victory of my career," Tsonga smiled after the game.

The French (35), had not won a match since November 2019. In 2020, injuries to the pelvis and then to the back had forced him to an almost blank season, with only two games played and lost.

"It was hard for me to continue with such pain. Today I won a game and that was one of my goals for these weeks. I am happy as a kid," said Tsonga, three times winner. of the Marseille tournament (2009, 2013 and 2017).

For his return to the circuit, the French lost two weeks ago in the first round of the Montpellier tournament against the American Sebastian Korda.

In the next round, Tsonga will face his compatriot Ugo Humbert, 31st in the world, on Wednesday, who will enter the running.

© 2021 AFP