Gasquet claims Thailand Open title


Richard Gasquet, shown in a May 2011 file photo, lost only three games Sunday in winning the championship match of the Thailand Open.   UPI/David Silpa

Richard Gasquet dropped just three games en route to his seventh ATP Title with a victory Sunday over Gilles Simon in the title match at the Thailand Open.

Gasquet, who improved to 6-0 in his career against his French countryman, defeated Simon 6-2, 6-1 in just more than an hour. Gasquet lost serve in the match”s first game but ended up winning three-quarters of the points when serving.

He also finished off five of his eight break opportunities while winning more than half (28-of-48) of the points off Simon”s serve. That includes taking 61 percent of the points when receiving serve in the first set.

Gasquet won $99,465 along with the title. It was his seventh ATP championship but first since May 2010. He broke a string of losses in his last three finals appearances.

Simon slipped to 1-3 in finals. He had won his last five championship matches, a string that began in the 2009 Thailand Open. He earned $52,390.

Copyright 2012 by United Press International