Veteran Warrior: Gasquet Stages Thrilling Comeback to Advance, Defying Retirement Countdown
R. Gasquet Advances to Second Round of Moselle Open
The first round of the men’s tennis Moselle Open (France/Metz, Hard, ATP 250) was held on the 4th, and the 133rd-ranked player in the world, R. Gasquet (France), who participated as a wild card, defeated T. Monteiro (Brazil), ranked 100th, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (8-6), making it through to the first round for the ninth time in five years.
This will be the last time the 38-year-old Gasquet will appear at the Moselle Open, having announced his retirement after next year’s French Open (Paris, France, Red Clay, Grand Slam).
In the first set of the first round, Gasquet allowed a break in the 9th game and went ahead. In the second set, both players showed stable service games and it became a battle for keeps. Then, in the ninth game, Gasquet got his second break point of the set. Gasquet didn’t miss this and succeeded in breaking. He won the second set.
In the final set, just like in the second set, both players continued to hold and the match went to a tie-break. Although Gasquet had match point first, he overcame it and finally scored a backhand down the line to win a close match that lasted 2 hours and 19 minutes.
ATP, the men’s professional tennis association, posted Gasquet’s comments on its official website. “I’m really happy with how I played and how I felt. This is a big win for me. It all started here (Metz) because this is where I reached my first ATP Tour final and I have great memories. I’m really happy with how I played today.”
Gasquet will face eighth seed Alan Mikkelsen (USA) in the second round. Mikkelsen defeated H. Mayo (France), ranked 107th in the world, who entered as a wild card in the first round.
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