Llodra wins fourth career title in Marseille

Marseille: The unseeded Michael Llodra cruised to his fourth career title when he beat fellow Frenchman and doubles partner Julien Benneteau 6-,3 6-4 in the Marseille Open final.

Both men then combined to land the doubles title with a 6-4, 6-3 win against Austrian Julian Knowle and Swede Robert Lindstedt. Llodra, 29, who lost to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in last year`s final, never looked in danger on serve against Benneteau, firing 14 aces including one on his first match point. The world number 79 had only two break points in the match and converted both to win in an hour and 10 minutes. "After I lost in the final here last year I`m glad I managed to get over it," Llodra told reporters."I had set myself one aim this year and that was to win a tournament in France at last. I`m proud," he added after winning his previous titles in Hertogenbosch, Rotterdam and Adelaide. Eighth-seeded Benneteau battled for almost three hours to beat Tsonga in the semi-finals on Saturday but refused to blame Sunday`s loss on fatigue. "My previous matches have been tough and long but that is not the reason why I lost. I lost because of Michael Llodra. I can only say `hats off to him` as he served extremely well. I`ve had no break points," said Benneteau, 28. "It`s tough to end a tournament this way but I couldn`t do anything," added the world number 39, who has yet to win an ATP title. Llodra had luck on his side when he broke serve in the first set thanks to a volley that hit the net before falling behind.He looked in total control throughout and a superb backhand passing shot earned him another break in the second set. Llodra then fired a 14th ace to seal victory on the first of his three match points. Bureau Report