?Richard Gasquet of France captured his first ATP title after nearly a three-year drought after he beat Spain's Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (7-5) in the ATP Nice Open final on Saturday.

This will be a good sign for his French Open journey where he will meet his first round opponent Andy Murray of Britain.

The former world number seven last lifted an ATP title in Mumbai in September 2007.

Gasquet, ranked 68th now, won 23 of 31 service points to clinch the first set in 43 minutes.

Richard Gasquet of France hits a return to Fernando Verdasco of Spain during their final match at the Nice Open ATP tennis tournament May 22, 2010. Richard Gasquet wins Nice Open.

Verdasco took a 3-1 lead in the second set, but then lost four of the next five games. Serving for the match at 5-4, Gasquet dropped his serve to love.

Verdasco clinched the next six straight games to not only level the scoreline at one-set apiece but take a 3-0 lead in the third set.

He came within one point of taking a 5-1 lead, but could not convert a break point opportunity on Gasquet's serve.

Verdasco served for the match at 5-3, but was broken to 15. There were five breaks of serve in the third set, which was decided on a tie-break.

Gasquet, who suffered from leg cramping in the third set, converted his first match point at 6-5 in the tie-break when Verdasco hit a forehand wide.

Fernando Verdasco of Spain hits a return to Richard Gasquet of France during their finals match at the Nice Open ATP tennis tournament May 22, 2010.