Intro:

Gael Monfils defeated defending champion Richard Gasquet, 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday (9th February) at the ATP Tour's Open Sud de France in Montpellier.

Script:

Gael Monfils was playing in his third Open Sud de France final and looking to lift the Montpellier trophy for the second time.

But he faced a tough taske against, fellow Frenchman and defending champion Richard Gasquet.

The fifth seed started well as he broke his opponent in the seventh game of the match and eventually took the first set 6-4.

Number one seed Gasquet had no answer for Monfils' serve - he struck nine aces in the match.

Monfils won 26 of 28 first service points as he closed the game out 6-4 6-4 to win his second Open Sud de France title.

SOUNDBITE: (French) Gael Montfils, winner Open Sud de France.

"I would like to thank the medical staff because they helped me all week. Many thanks to the ATP physios, you really did a great job and put me back on my feet. I want to thank my agent, my friends, my best friend who came here. Basically, my back seized up on Monday and I didn't even think I would take part in this tournament."

The win crowns a recent period of success for the world number 30 after he finished runner-up to Rafael Nadal at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open last month.