Richard gave France a 1-0 lead in their first round Davis Cup match against Romania as he defeated Victor Hanescu 7-6(5), 6-4, 7-5.
In the match that lasted 2hrs and 44mins, Richard hit 57 winners to 29 unforced errors and was able to break serve three time to give France a 1-0 lead.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is up next against Andrei Pavel.