Defending champion Tsonga defeats Gulbis to advance to quarterfinals at Thailand Open

Defending champ Tsonga advances in Thailand

BANGKOK — Defending champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga won a three-tiebreaker match against Ernests Gulbis 6-7 (3), 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2) Thursday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Thailand Open.

Gulbis, ranked 99th, staved off a set point at 4-5 to take the opener and had 5-4 and 6-5 leads in the second set. But the Frenchman held on to force the tiebreaker.

In the third set, players held serve to set up another tiebreaker, when Tsonga forced Gulbis into errors.

“It was very tough, but I fought all along,” said Tsonga, ranked No. 7. “Finally, I won and I’m happy to win. It’s important for me to defend my title.”

John Isner of the United States also advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Mischa Zverev of Germany 7-6 (5), 6-4. The 48th-ranked Isner will face fourth-seeded Viktor Troicki of Serbia.

“He hits the ball really big,” said the 6-foot-9 Isner. “So do I. It will be a good match. He has won a lot of matches this year. That’s why he’s 32nd in the world.”

American Kevin Kim lost to Gilles Simon of France 6-2, 6-2. The second-seeded Simon, who retired with a knee injury during the U.S. Open, dominated play with his baseline game.

Andreas Beck of Germany also cruised with a 6-1, 6-7 (3), 6-4 victory over Donald Young of the United States. Beck will play Jurgen Melzer of Austria.

Marat Safin lost to Marco Chiudinelli 6-3, 7-6 (4).