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Ernests Gulbis beats defending champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to win Open 13 title

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Ernests Gulbis of Latvia raises his fist after winning a point against France\'s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga , during their final match, at the Open 13 tennis tournament, in Marseille, southern France, Sunday, Feb. 23 , 2014. (AP Photo/Claude Paris)

MARSEILLE, France – Third-seeded Ernests Gulbis of Latvia beat defending champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France 7-6 (5), 6-4 to win his fifth career title and maintain his perfect record in finals.

Playing in his 19th career final, the second-seeded Tsonga was favourite to win the Open 13 for the third time and to secure an 11th career title, but he struggled with Gulbis’ attacking approach.

Tsonga was under pressure throughout, saving 10 of the 11 break-points he faced and failing to take the two chances he created on the serve of Gulbis, who had 14 aces and hit 41 winners compared to 22 for his opponent.

Gulbis, ranked 23rd, beat France’s two best players in straight sets on his way to the title, eliminating the top-seeded Richard Gasquet 6-3, 6-2 in the semifinals.

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