Beijing: Andy Roddick claimed his third title of 2008 and the 26th of his career when he overcame Israel’s Dudi Sela in three sets. The big serving American hadn’t won a title since March (Dubai) and this triumph will come as a welcome boost as the tour enters its final stretch of the season. Roddick also boosted his chances of ensuring he will be one of the elite eight at the season ending Masters Cup in Shanghai.
 
Runner-up Sela had a fantastic week that resulted in excellent victories over David Ferrer and Tommy Robredo. Last week Sela had played his part in helping Israel back into the Davis Cup World Group, and to follow up a week later with a final appearance, beating some highly rated players on the way, will be more than consolation for not lifting the title.
 
For Ferrer, Robredo and Fernando Gonzalez the week was a disappointment, with none of them strengthening their positions in the ATP race. The same can be said of Richard Gasquet whose disappointing season continued with a quarter-final loss to Wimbledon semi-finalist Rainer Schuettler.

Elsewhere we saw the return from injury of former world No.1 and French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero. The ‘Mosquito’ has been dogged by injury for months which resulted in retirements at Roland Garros and Wimbledon as well as having to withdraw at the last minute from the US Open. Ferrero acquitted himself well on his return to action, ousting Fernando Verdasco, before succumbing to eventual champion Roddick in the last eight.

Bangkok: The last time Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Novak Djokovic met was in the Australian Open final at the beginning of the year. Then it was the Serbian who ended up victorious, but in Bangkok Tsonga was able to reverse the result and claim his maiden ATP tour title.
 
Injury has disrupted Tsonga’s season which meant he played no part at the French Open or Wimbledon. However, he was able to return at the US Open and will be understandably delighted with his results in Bangkok where, apart from beating Djokovic in the final, he destroyed compatriot Gael Monfils in the last four 6-0, 6-3.

Much was expected of Djokovic’s 2008 season after his first Grand Slam success at the Australian Open as well as Masters Series titles at Indian Wells and Rome. Since then Djokovic is without a title, although it’s not like he hasn’t been knocking on the door. ‘Nole’ has tasted defeat in three finals and three semi-finals since Rome, but did find his way on to the podium at the Olympics courtesy of a bronze medal.

Bangkok wasn’t the greatest experience for a younger Djokovic, Marko. The decision to give Novak’s younger brother a wildcard was questionable at best. Marko is ranked outside of the top 1,000 and the move was clearly made to ensure that the more high-profile older brother played in the event. Jarkko Nieminen only needed 46 minutes to defeat Marko for the loss of just two games in first round action. Fortunes were not much better in doubles action where the Djokovic brothers lost 6-2, 6-2 to French duo Tsonga and Fabrice Santoro at the first hurdle.

ATP action continues on Monday in Metz and Tokyo. Metz will see the return to action of Marcos Baghdatis as well as a tasty first round encounter between Mario Ancic and Ernest Gulbis. While in Tokyo a high quality field will be on show, including Juan Martin del Potro, Ferrer, Gasquet, Robredo, Gonzalez, Tomas Berdych, Monfils and the two most recent title winners – Roddick and Tsonga.