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By Alberto Amalfi | Sunday, May 3, 2015

 
Richard Gasquet

Richard Gasquet defeated first-time finalist Nick Kyrgios, 6-3, 6-2, in the Estoril Open final to collect his 12th career ATP title.

Photo credit: Millennium Estoril Open

Angle and consistency conquered power and explosiveness in Estoril.

Richard Gasquet deconstructed Nick Kyrgios, 6-3, 6-2, in a 64-minute Estoril Open final to collect his 12th career ATP championship.

More: Federer Captures 85th Career Title in Istanbul

The 28-year-old Gasquet gained a measure of revenge in the process.

Last summer, Krygios saved a Grand Slam record nine match points fighting back for a 3-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-5, 10-8 victory over Gasquet in the Wimbledon second round. That loss was a heart-breaker, but Gasquet responded with a sound tactical match today.

Dropping several feet back behind the baseline, Gasquet denied the first-time finalist access to angles and used his versatile one-handed backhand to defuse Kyrgios's inside-out forehand.

It is Gasquet's second title of the season. He defused another big-server, Jerzy Janowicz, in the Montpellier final earlier this season.

Gasquet grinded out a 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (1) semifinal win over Guillermo Garcia-Lopez on Saturday to advance to his 24th final. He played a controlled match from the first ball today.

"I am really happy with the victory," Gasquet told ATP World Tour. "Yesterday it went three sets and today I was more confident and started better. To feel no pain it's a good thing for me. I needed to play a good clay-court match, to make him run. He's a very good player, very powerful with a big forehand and big serve."

Richard Gasquet

Gasquet raised his record to 15-4 this season and tied Gilles Simon for second place for most titles among Frenchmen in the Open Era. Former French Open champion Yannick Noah leads the list with 23 career titles.

The seventh-seeded Kyrgios cracked 15 aces in his semifinal win over Pablo Carreno Busta, but could not create openings against Gasquet. Kyrgios hit just two aces and dropped serve three times.

"Playing in my first final, there was definitely a bit of pressure out there," Kyrgios told ATP World Tour. "I thought I had fun out there today as well. I lost, but that's why he's a world-class player. He was way too good for me and I need to get better.

"My serve was getting me through matches all week and today I don't feel I served well. I was pleased with the way I was hitting the ball, but I didn't take my opportunities."

 

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