Richard Gasquet Brings Parisians to Feet with Kei Nishikori Upset at French Open; Novak Djokovic Monday

this new-old gasquet also had a beautiful run last season at wimbledon. does no one remember he beat kyrgios and then took out stan in a classic, not to mention pushing novak to 4 sets in the semi at SW19. richie can bring it when he is dialed in.

as i said on the other thread (before his interview confirmed it) what struck me today was the depth he was getting on some of his shots due, in part, to better court positioning. he stood closer to the baseline; he also defended well and served good. if he puts another match like that together i think he and murray could play a classic. but you never know with richard.

here’s hoping tomorrow isn’t a washout, and that all these guys get their matches in to keep things flowing.

May 29th, 2016 at 7:26 pm

Gasquet improved his serve, it was the first thing I noticed a few days ago.

He put a lot of spin in his FH, the ball was rebounding very high, and it didn’t make things easier for Nishi.

Anyway, he played a great match.

May 29th, 2016 at 7:49 pm

mat4,

That is excatly how you beat Nishikori and Gasquet did it six times before. He is short guy who hugs base line, you give him flat ball without bounce and he is picking it up very early and sending it back with interest, you are doomed. You give him deep high ball, lot of spin with vertical bounce (Rafa style) and he has to steo back and wait for ball to fall on his racquet since he can’t pick it up early, plus if you are having good serving day Nishikori can’t touch you.
If only Gasquet can stay on the base line and not to move too far back, as he tends to do, Andy will have to produce his best to best him. But Gasquet is Gasquet, unpredictable or maybe too predictable..

May 29th, 2016 at 8:11 pm

^^ “he is short guy ” meaning Nishikori, not Gasquet.

May 29th, 2016 at 8:32 pm

This is Gasquet first RG QF, which is quite surprising, thought he was here before.

More motive to think Murray as favorite. Indeed Gasquet serve seems better, but I just don’t trust him in tough situations. Too much at stake for Murray also and I think he will deliver in beat Gasquet no more than 4 sets.

I am very interested in how Wawa will beat Ramos-Violas, he still has some lapses and way too much errors, now is the time for him to be cleaning his game.

May 30th, 2016 at 12:17 am

I thought Nishikori played too badly at crucial moments to lose more than to be consumed by Gasquet’s splendid play. Against a resurgent Andy, I think Gasquet might come a cropper even with the entire French crowd behind him. There is a very minute chance that he can cause an upset.

Ramos Vinolas also was helped by Raonic’s passive play from the back of the court where the later was impatient to finish the rally and took risks to outhit the opponent. But simply the shots couldn’t find the range and most landed ouside the playing area benefiting his opponent. Raonic’s style of play is just not suited for Clay courts and he is just not devouring the high bounce on these Courts which makes his task difficult hitting through the line. But Ramos will have his hands full against Wawarinka who is an exponent on these Courts and has the power, speed and precision to thwart his advance.

May 30th, 2016 at 12:48 am

Good that Richie has learnt to embrace that fickle French crowd.
And a lovely compliment for Andy.
Their matches are always close, but expecting Andy to come out ready and focused. He’s been playing himself into this slam and is looking good.

May 30th, 2016 at 1:01 am

Albert Ramos is the next Michael Chang, you heard here first

May 30th, 2016 at 7:27 am