After Tsonga and Pouille had pulled out in the first round of Davis Cup against the Netherlands and Adrian Mannarino lost the first rubber, France needed a victory.Richard defeated Robin Haase 6-4 7-6 3-6 7-5 and set his team back on track. France won the tie 3-1 in the end.
Before that Richard lost in the third round of the Australian Open to Roger Federer who went on to win the tournament.