Categories: AntwerpATPTop Story

Gasquet wins in rivalry revival with Wawrinka

Richard Gasquet saved three match points deep in the second set and turned the third on its head to defeat Stan Wawrinka 2-6, 7-5(4), 6-4 in the opening round on Monday at the ATP event in Antwerp.

The pair of veterans – three-time Grand Slam winner Wawrinka is 37 to the 36 of Gasquet – began their rivalry in 2006 and last played in 2015.

Seven years and a tennis lifetime later, France’s Gasquet ran his record to 3-1 over the Swiss in a battle of single-handed backhands.

Wawrinka dumped three winning chances in the 12th game of the second set, with Gasquet taking the struggle into a deciding third.

When Wawrinka went up an early break, Gasquet answered with a break-back for 3-all.

The Frenchman ranked 82nd to Wawrinka’s long injury comeback standing of 193 sent over a lob winner four games later for a match point of his own, with his opponent sending a return wide to lose in just over two hours.

“It’s tricky in sport, you need to be a bit lucky,” the winner said. “That was me today.

“He was the best player at the start, but I fought in the second.

“In the third I played better, especially on serve.

“I’m happy and lucky to have won this match.”

The pair had never met on indoor hardcourt; Wawrinka hammered 15 aces to just two for his winning opponent.

“”I’ve spent all of my career with Stan, I’ve known him since I was a child,” Gasquet said

“He’s been a great player the last 15 years.”

Bill Scott

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