Richard defeated Fernando Verdasco in the Nice finals 6-3 5-7 7-6 to capture his 6th career title.
Richard was clearly the better player in the first set against the error-prone Spaniard. He continued in the same veine and managed to rebreak immediately after Verdasco had gone up 3-1 in the second set. Richard broke again and served for the set at 5-4. A horrible service game brought Verdasco the rebreak, follwed by another one to concede the second set 5-7. Verdasco was up 3-0 quickly and Richard was treated on his left thigh. Things looked bleak when Richard faced breakpoints to go down 1-5, but he hold.
At 5-3 Verdasco tried to serve out, but did not manage. Richard lost his service again, but Verdasco followed suite and could not serve out either at 5-4.
The breaker was tight, but strong serving kept Richard in the match and at 6-5 Verdasco committed the decisive forehand error. Game- set-match Richard! !
His next tournament is Roland Garros where he faces Andy Murray in the first round.
