AMSTERDAM: Richard Gasquet earned his first title of the year and the 15th of his career after prevailing in an all-French battle with his friend Jeremy Chardy in the Libema Open final at s’Hertogenbosch, Rosmalen on Sunday. The evergreen 31-year-old, who had not won a grasscourt title since the first two tournament wins of his career in Nottingham in 2005 and 2006, was at his best at the Dutch pre-Wimbledon tournament, wrapping up a 6-3 7-6(5) victory. In April, Gasquet joined an elite band who have won 500 tour matches and, both injury-free and having reached one final this season, he can now look forward to another deep run at Wimbledon where he has twice been a semi-finalist. Published in Daily Times, June 19th 2018.