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Richard was defeated in the fourth round of the Australian Open, losing to Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (8-6).

Tsonga was undaunted at facing his country's highest ranked player, outgunning the tournament's No.8 seed with a thoughtful blend of baseline and net play to win 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 in three hours and 19 minutes.

Although ranked 30 places below Gasquet at No.38 in the world, Tsonga dictated the tempo of the match throughout.

The only time he appeared shaky was during the pointy end of the second set, when he dropped service in the 12th game when serving for a two-set advantage.

The match changed complexion in just a matter of minutes as Gasquet, despite having thus far been outplayed, won the ensuing tiebreaker to level the contest.

Tsonga regained the ascendancy in the third set tiebreaker with a superb backhand up the line but not before wasting two set points.

The fourth set was a far less nervous affair, with Tsonga breaking in the third and ninth games of the set to secure victory.