Tennis-Zverev denies Gasquet Montpellier hat-trick

Feb 12 (Reuters) - Rising German Alexander Zverev denied home favourite Richard Gasquet a third consecutive Open Sud de France title in Montpellier with a 7-6(4) 6-3 victory on Sunday. Local favourite Gasquet, bidding for a fourth title overall at the indoor event, dropped the firset set on the tiebreak and was broken twice in the second as the 19-year-old Zverev claimed his second career title. Defeat ended world number 22 Gasquet's 10-match winning streak in Montpellier. Zverev, who will compete in the doubles final later on Sunday alongside his brother Mischa, had beaten much-fancied second seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in his semi final. Gasquet saw off compatriot Benoit Paire to reach the final. (Reporting by Ed Dove)