TENNIS ATP EASTBOURNE – Richard Gasquet has had a rather disappointing few weeks coming into this year’s AEGON International Tournament. A nagging back injury prevented him from producing his best at the French Open. However, at Eastbourne, he looks fit as a fiddle when he defeated Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan in straight sets, 6-4 6-2 for a place in the final and a chance for his first title of the year. Cordell Hackshaw
Richard Gasquet (1) has had a rather disappointing few weeks coming into this year’s AEGON International Tournament. A nagging back injury prevented him from producing his best at the French Open as he was dismissed by Fernando Verdasco in the 3rd round and last week at Halle, he lost in his opening round match to Robin Haase. However, at Eastbourne, he looks fit as a fiddle when he defeated Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan in straight sets, 6-4 6-2 for a place in the final and a chance for his first title of the year. The Frenchman is also looking for his 3rd title at these championships having won this tournament in 2005 and 2006.
Gasquet served first in the match and held with relative ease. He would continue this pattern throughout the entire match. Istomin was showing himself to be a competent server as well for he too was holding comfortably. Both players remained on serve through the first 9 games of the set until Istomin served to stay in it down 4-5. Despite his ability to get a bigger pop on the serve than his opponent, Istomin was not able to use it effectively. He got 77% of his 1st serves in but could only win 63% of those points and 50% on his 2nd serve for the entire match. Thus it came under pressure in the crucial 10th game. He was unable to produce a big serve to erase the lone break point of the entire set which was also a set point for Gasquet. Istomin pushed the forehand wide and Gasquet took the set 6-4.
With the 1st set under his belt, Gasquet was in full flight. He grew more aggressive on the court whereas Istomin who was holding his own in the beginning of the match was now tentative on his shots. Gasquet again served first in the set and was up 3-2 when he saw another break chance opportunity on the Istomin serve. Istomin attempted to be too “fancy” on the put away volley and dumped it into the net giving Gasquet a 4-2 lead. Gasquet quickly consolidated the break by holding serve and forced Istomin to serve to stay in the match down 2-5. Istomin again looked lost on the court and was soon down two match points on his own serve. Istomin faltered and was knocked out by Gasquet 6-4 6-2 in 71 minutes.
Gasquet should be happy with this result particularly since Istomin can be a dangerous player. The Frenchman was able to get 63% of his 1st serves in and winning 79% of those points and 55% on his 2nd serve. He was not broken at any point in the match having saved all three break points he faced. Most of his winners came off his impeccable backhand and he is showing clear signs of being a possible threat at Wimbledon. “I played a good match today… I’m very happy with the way I played, because it’s always difficult to play on grass… You need to be strong on every point.” Gasquet will face the 3rd seed, Feliciano Lopez for a chance at the title.