Richard lost a close match against Tommy Robredo in the third round of Melbourne: 6-2 5-7 4-6 6-7.
His next tournament on the ATP-tour is Montpelllier, but it is likely that he will be called into the French Davis Cup Team the week before against Australia.
Richard played a convincing first set in which he managed it all, serve, ground strokes, volleys. He looked confident after his 6-2 victory. But rain stopped play and the match had to contine under the roof. Richard's level dropped in the second and third set and Robredo played well on the important points. Richard hang in and took the fourth set into a breaker, yet again, it was Robredo prevailing.
Overall, Richard had improved with every match in Melbounre, but he paid the price for his incomplete preparation due to the injury he picked up in Doha.
