Richard lost his semifinal in Dubai 2-6 5-7 to Roger Federer.
Even if Richard did not play badly in the first set, it is hard to look good against a Roger Federer serving at 79%. Richard's own serve percentage at 71 % was not bad either, but not enough to trouble Roger.In the second set, things were a lot closer with Richard getting a grip on the match and going a break up. Serving for the set, his serve left him and he conceded the immediate rebreak. The match was over by then. Roger broke and took the second set 7-5.
Richard's next match is the Davis Cup tie against Austria next week, where he will be the French number 1.