Austrian Jurgen Melzer beat Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-4, 6-3 in
demanding conditions at the Kooyong Classic Australian Open warm-up
event on Wednesday.
Tsonga, ranked sixth in the world, came into the eight-man exhibition tournament on a high after beating compatriot Gael Monfils to win in Doha at the weekend but admitted he had not yet adjusted to the time difference.
Wind was a constant factor on court in a match delayed for more than an hour as storms passed through the city.
"I'm not feeling very well. I still have jet-lag. We train a lot and we all want to be ready for the Open. Today was difficult with the conditions," said Tsonga.
"It is difficult to play in the wind. I'm not used to it anymore. I play most of my matches in big stadiums where there is little wind. When we return to conditions like this, it's difficult for us," he added.
Tsonga had beaten the 30-year-old Melzer in both of their two previous meetings, both in 2008.
Melzer, ranked 33rd, moves into the promotion round of the four-day event and next plays the winner from the match between Canadian Milos Raonic, winner of last week's Chennai Open, and America's Mardy Fish.
"We had really tough conditions but when the wind wasn't blowing I hit some good shots," said Melzer. "It's always good to get a win over a top 10 guy.
"I had some good form today. I hope to keep it up this week and straight through to the Open."
In other matches on a day when more rain threatened, Australian Bernard Tomic was playing Czech Tomas Berdych and Monfils was due to face American Andy Roddick, a three-time winner.
Tsonga, ranked sixth in the world, came into the eight-man exhibition tournament on a high after beating compatriot Gael Monfils to win in Doha at the weekend but admitted he had not yet adjusted to the time difference.
Wind was a constant factor on court in a match delayed for more than an hour as storms passed through the city.
"I'm not feeling very well. I still have jet-lag. We train a lot and we all want to be ready for the Open. Today was difficult with the conditions," said Tsonga.
"It is difficult to play in the wind. I'm not used to it anymore. I play most of my matches in big stadiums where there is little wind. When we return to conditions like this, it's difficult for us," he added.
Tsonga had beaten the 30-year-old Melzer in both of their two previous meetings, both in 2008.
Melzer, ranked 33rd, moves into the promotion round of the four-day event and next plays the winner from the match between Canadian Milos Raonic, winner of last week's Chennai Open, and America's Mardy Fish.
"We had really tough conditions but when the wind wasn't blowing I hit some good shots," said Melzer. "It's always good to get a win over a top 10 guy.
"I had some good form today. I hope to keep it up this week and straight through to the Open."
In other matches on a day when more rain threatened, Australian Bernard Tomic was playing Czech Tomas Berdych and Monfils was due to face American Andy Roddick, a three-time winner.
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