Frenchman Richard Gasquet did not let a set and a break deficit to dampen his spirits to fight back and win the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2013 title on Saturday. The world number ten defeated former world number three Nikolay Davydenko of Russia 3-6, 7-6, 6-3 in Doha.
“I’m really happy with the way I played and fought. He was playing fast in the first set. I just try to keep focused and to fight a lot, and I did it. I’m really happy with the way I won. It’s important for me to win the final,” Gasquet said.
This is Gasquet’s eighth career title and he received $180,600 plus 250 ATP ranking points for the victory.
Davydenko, the 2010 champion, was aiming to win his first title since winning the BMW Open in Munich in 2011. He now has a 21-7 record in tournament finals. The Russian was spectacular this week, not losing a set prior to the final. He also defeated fourth-seeded Mikhail Youzhney and world number five David Ferrer to reach the final.
