MONTPELLIER, France (AP) Second-seeded Lucas Pouille of France continued his hold over Richard Gasquet, beating him 7-6 (2), 6-4 Sunday to win the Open Sud de France for his fifth career ATP title.
It was Pouille's fourth straight win against Gasquet, who was playing his sixth straight final at the tournament. Gasquet won it in 2013, `15 and `16 but missed out on a 15th career title.
Pouille prevented his fifth-seeded countryman from dictating rallies and forced six chances on Gasquet's serve, breaking him once. He did not face a single break point on his own serve and hit 10 aces in a comprehensive performance.
Pouille trailed 6-1, 5-5 in his semifinal Saturday against third-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga when his opponent retired with a hamstring injury.
