Richard Gasquet defeated Cedrik-Marcel Stebe in three sets at the Sony Ericsson Open this afternoon.

The Frenchman broke his opponent at the beginning of the opening set to race out to a 3-1 lead. Stebe twice held serve after that, but was powerless to stop Gasquet breaking him again to go ahead in the match.

Unable to maintain momentum, Gasquet fell two games behind to start the second set. The German then held serve twice more before the world number 16 was able to break back to tie the set at three games apiece.

Both men then held serve to take the score to six games all, where Stebe emerged victorious in the tie break.

Nevertheless, Gasquet broke the German to take a 3-1 lead in the final set. His opponent then held serve, but the Frenchman broke him for a second time to set himself up to serve for the match win.