Next target is breaking into top 10: Gasquet

Mumbai, Sep 30 (UNI) Richard Gasquet of France, who won his first title outside Europe today beating Olivier Rochus of Belgium in straight sets, said his next target was getting back into the top 10, and winning a Grand Slam.

Speaking to reporters after he won the Kingfisher Airlines Open tennis tournament without dropping a set throughout the tourney, Gasquet said he was delighted at winning here on the hard courts as this showed that his game was suited to all surfaces.

Gasquet said that he played a perfect match.

On losing his serve in the second set immediately after breaking Rochus, Gasquet said he lost his concentration for some time in the second set but came back strongly at the right time. Breaking him 3-3 in the second was very important and it proved to be the turning point in the match, he added.

Ranked 14 in the world, Gasquet said he still needs to work on his physical fitness to improve and go further up the ladder.

''I will like to come back next year to defend my title'', he added.

Olivier Rochus who had to be satisfied being the second best in this tournament, said the match was a very close one, adding ''I came back strongly in the second. Gasquet served very well and you need to earn all your points as there are no easy points when you play Gasquet. He makes so few unforced errors.'' ''I did not serve well today and against a guy like Gasquet it can be the difference between winning and losing. He showed today why he is so close to the top ten, I an happy at the way I played against a top player,'' Rochus said.

Rochus said that he would take a lot of confidence from this final appearance into other tournaments later this year and the next year.

''I now know that I can compete against a top player and hold my own,'' he added.

UNI