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Gael Monfils - Source: Reuters -
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Top seed Gael Monfils beat second seed Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-6 3-6 6-2 in the Metz ATP tournament final on Monday to win the second title of his career.
Frenchman Monfils, 23, had been chasing a title since his victory in 2005 in Sopot, Poland. He had lost six finals since.
The gifted but erratic Monfils relied on his strong serve and held his nerve to seal victory in two hours and 13 minutes.
Both players held serve throughout a tight first set and a tiebreak was needed which Monfils won 7-1 thanks to two superb backhand passes.
Kohlschreiber fought back with a break in the sixth game of the second set to level the match but Monfils was back in control in the decisive set, taking his opponent's serve with a forehand winner in the sixth game.
The German then collapsed, dropping serve again two games later to hand Monfils victory.
"I am glad I could show that I could win a second title and I am happy to have done it in France," Monfils said.
"This is an encouragement but not a relief," he added. "I'll feel relieved the day I win the French Open."
