However, the on-off nature of the first set suggested Tsonga might not get the chance.
A sea fog swirled over the court and, although visibility was more than adequate, the surface became slippery and uncertain.
"It was difficult. The surface was very slippery especially on the 'Qatar' sign painted on the court," added the 26-year-old Tsonga. "It was dangerous but they did enough to make it OK."
After 15 minutes it was decided to start, but only eight minutes later, by which time Monfils had broken serve and then indicated his insecurity underfoot, they decided to stop again.
After a 36-minute delay, Monfils - for a while - had the advantage, better balanced and faster in movement, and more confident after his early lead. But it evaporated from the moment he tried to close out the set at 5-4.
Tsonga became more sure of himself as the match went on, making the decisive breakthrough at 4-2 in the second set with some good returning and solid driving.
He consolidated that without alarm, and performed his familiar dynamic revolving war dance when he closed it out.
It celebrated becoming the first French winner of the title since Nicolas Escude eight years ago, and signalled him as a likely threat for 2012, even though he never had the chance to meet Federer in Doha.
Tsonga was given a walkover into the final by Federer, who was concerned to protect an ailing back for the Australian Open.
Monfils, who smilingly said Tsonga had been "a bit lucky because he had a day off, whereas it was a bit harder for me," had come through by scoring only his second win in 10 attempts against Nadal, the French Open champion.
- AFP
