Second-seeded Richard Gasquet started the year on the right foot, coming back to upset former world No. 3 Nikolay Davydenko 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3 to capture his first Qatar ExxonMobil Open title.
This win marks the eight career title for the Frenchman, currently No. 10 in the world, and the fourth overall victory over the Russian, now leading the series between the two at 4-2.
Former world No. 3 Davydenko had come to this match after defeating top-seeded David Ferrer 6-2, 6-3 in the semifinal Friday, making this victory for Gasquet even more impressive and helpful to gain confidence towards the new season.
Gasquet claimed his last title in Bangkok in September 2012, and his highest ranking came in September 2007 when he was seventh in the world.
In 2009, Gasquet faced a possible 2-year suspension after testing positive for cocaine at the 2009 Sony Ericsson in Miami, but he was able to prove his innocence later and was cleared of all charges in July.
Gasquet has been a 3-time ATP Masters 1000 finalist and his best Grand Slam result came in Wimbledon 2007, where he reached the Semifinals losing to then world No. 1 Roger Federer.