The French veteran Richard Gasquet wrote the new pages of Challenger history on Monday at the Cassis Open Provence event. Former world no. 7 lifted the trophy following a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 triumph over Jurij Rodionov in the final.
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Thus, he celebrated his tenth Challenger crown 22 years after winning the first at 16! Also, Richard became the third-oldest Challenger champion at 38 years and two months, joining Ivo Karlovic and Fernando Verdasco on the exclusive list.
Gasquet returned to the winning circle at this level for the first time in six years, previously conquering Szczecin in September 2017. The Frenchman and the Austrian needed two days to wrap up the final in Cassic, with the more experienced rival leading 3-6, 6-1, 3-2, 40-0 before the rain sent them off the court on Sunday.
Former Major semi-finalist needed little time to seal the deal on Monday, lifting the trophy and moving closer to a top-100 return.
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Richard Gasquet is the third-oldest Challenger champion.
Richard ousted Jurij in an hour and 43 minutes, overcoming a slow start and breaking the rival's resistance in sets two and three.
The veteran played better behind the first and second serve, losing serve two times from as many chances offered to his rival in the opener. The Frenchman turned 43% of the return points into five breaks from seven opportunities, taking charge from the second set and sealing the deal in style.
A left-hander dropped serve in the third game of the opener after a double fault. He pulled it back in the next one after a forehand lob winner, gaining a boost before the rain sent them off the court. They returned half an hour later, and Rodionov provided a break at love that propelled him 4-2 in front.
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The Austrian served well in games seven and nine, landing a forehand winner for 6-3 after 40 minutes.
Gasquet turned the tables in the second set, serving well and keeping the pressure on the other side.
The veteran passed his rival with a strong backhand in the second game, earning a break and delivering another with a forced error at 3-0 to extend the gap. The 38-year-old held at love at 5-1, wrapping up the set in style and forcing a decider.
Carried by this boost, Richard served well in the final set and mounted the pressure on the other side. The Frenchman cracked a backhand winner for a break in the first game and led 3-2, 40-0 before the rain sent the action to the following day.
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Gasquet held at love for 4-2 and grabbed another break in the next one following Rodionov's forehand mistake. The 38-year-old served for the win at 5-2 in windy conditions and sealed the deal with a service winner, celebrating his first title since Auckland at the beginning of 2023.
