Richard lost his first round match in Buenos Aires to Juan Ignacio Chela 6-7 5-7.
After a convincing start, some lose forehands cost Richard the fifth game in the first set. He hold on nicely, played with variety and determination and broke back for 4-4. While clearly the better player in this set, he started the breaker with a double fault and never recovered. He lost the TB 3-7. The second set was interrupted by a rain delay. Richard did not find back the fluidity of the first set and had to concede a break in the eighth game. Chela could not close out the match and Richard came back to 5 all. He saved further matchpoints at 6-5, but finally lost the set 5-7.
Richard is still involved in the doubles competition with Vasallo-Arguello.
