Richard won the Doha title against Nikolaj Davydenko 3-6 7-6 6-3. It is his 8th title.
It started badly, Davydenko came out firing, hitting winners left and right and he went up 3-0. Richard managed to stay in touch, he even had a breakpoint when the Russian served for the set, but in the end Davydenko was too strong and he won the first set 6-3.Richard started to find his rhythm, but could not convert three breakpoints in the second game of the second set. The Russian was more efficent and used his chances to go 4-2 up and even had breakpoints for a 5-2 lead. But Richard hang in, saved them all and broke for 4-3*. The set went to a breaker and Richard, more and more solid and aggressive could clinch it.
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Richard had break points right of the start of the third set, but Dayydenko saved them all and took an injury break. Though nothing was obviously wrong with him, his game declined and he made more and more errors to give Richard a two-break advantage. Richard had a slight hick-up when he served for the match, but rebroke immediately and finally took the match 3-6 7-6 6-3. It was his 8th career title.
His next tournament is the Australian Open as he had retired from Sydney already the day before.
