Tsonga fit to defend Paris Masters title

PARIS (Reuters) - Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is fit to begin the defense of his Paris Masters title on Tuesday after picking up a wrist injury last week.

"I played yesterday and today and it felt okay," the Frenchman told reporters on Monday.

Tsonga was forced to retire from his first-round match against Russia's Mikhail Youzhny in Valencia last week.

The world number nine needs to win in the French capital to stand any chance of qualifying for the November 22-29 World Tour Finals in London.

"I'm excited to be back here, I love the atmosphere and I'll give it my very best," said Tsonga. "I've got nothing to lose."

The 24-year-old, who has a first-round bye in Paris, starts his campaign against Spain's Albert Montanes.

Six players have already qualified for the eight-man season finale in London. The last two places are up for grabs in Paris with Russia's Nikolay Davydenko and Spaniard Fernando Verdasco first in line.

(Reporting by Patrick Vignal, editing by Tony Jimenez)