Richard reached the quarter finals of the first tournament of the year 2009 in Brisbane, Australia.
While he had to struggle for more than two hours to dispose his compatriot Marc Gicquel 6-4 6-2 6-2 in the first round, victory was achieved much faster in the second round against Taylor Dent. With a considerably better serve percentage than in the first match, Richard defeated the American 7-5 6-4 and awaits the winner of Tsonga/Nieminen.