Montpellier, France (SportsNetwork.com) – Richard Gasquet captured his third
Open Sud de France title when Jerzy Janowicz retired from Sunday’s final in
Montpellier.
The fourth-seeded Gasquet was leading 3-0 in the first set when Janowicz
pulled out due to an illness.
“I knew he was sick when we were warming up,” Gasquet said. “I saw very
quickly at the beginning of the match that he couldn’t play at all.”
The Frenchman now has a 20-6 record at this tournament, having previously
lifted the trophy in 2006, when it was held in Lyon, and in 2013.
Gasquet improved to 11-12 all-time in title matches. Sunday marked his first
win in a final since October 2013 in Moscow.
The fifth-seeded Janowicz fell to 0-3 for his career in finals. He also lost
title matches at the Paris Masters in 2012 and in Winston-Salem last year.
“Two days ago, I got sick. I haven’t slept in almost two days,” Janowicz said.
“I had a fever and the flu and I’m so weak. There was not much that I could do
today.”
Gasquet took home $90,000 with the victory.
