Gasquet gives self a present as he turns 27

Richard Gasquet won his first ATP Tour title Saturday with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Max Mirnyi in the 10tele.com Open in Nottingham, England.

The Frenchman took control from the outset, breaking in his first service game. Mirnyi called for an injury break between sets to treat his hand, but it didn’t affect Gasquet’s concentration.

Gasquet, celebrating his 19th birthday, was given a cake during the presentation ceremony. Mirnyi led the crowd in a rendition of “Happy Birthday.”

“If you had told me at the start of this year that I would win my first tournament on grass, I would not have expected it,” Gasquet said. “It is great for me to prove I can play on the surface and now I believe I can go a long way at Wimbledon next week.”

Gasquet is seeded 27th at Wimbledon and plays Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber in the first round. He could meet Rafael Nadal in the third round. His projected path could set up a semifinalwith Andy Roddick, and a final with two-time defending champion Roger Federer.

Clijsters wins Eastbourne

Kim Clijsters defeated Russian qualifier Vera Douchevina 7-5, 6-0 at Eastbourne, England for her third title of the year.

The win in the Wimbledon tuneup was the 24th career title for the seventh-seeded Belgian.

Koukalova is Ordina champ

Klara Koukalova defeated fellow Czech Lucie Safarova 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the Ordina Open at Den Bosch, Netherlands to win her first WTA championship.

On the men’s side, Michael Llodra beat Mark Philippoussis 7-6 (2), 6-7 (5), 6-3 to set up a final with third-seeded Mario Ancic, who beat Jan Hernych 6-4, 6-4.