Grigor Dimitrov convincingly beat Richard Gasquet 6-3 6-2 6-4 to advance to the second week of the Australian Open.
Both men started the match by hitting their best backhands past their opponent. Gasquet drew first blood in the third game after a sensational one handed backhand, to lead 2-1. However Dimitrov’s new run of form gave him confidence and he used that confidence to break straight back in the next game to level the set at 2-2. Both men were serving well and trying to find their feet in front of a depleted Rod Laver Arena. However it was Dimitrov who would win the key points and despite facing four break points in the final game, he reeled off three games in a row to take the first set 6-3.
The Bulgarian continued his momentum in the second set after a sensational forehand passing shot allowed him to break for a 2-0 lead. The rejected Frenchman looked down in the dumps on what was now Sunday morning and his 15th seeded opponent took advantage by breaking to 15 in the seventh game for a 5-2 lead. Dimitrov wrapped up the second set to love in 39 minutes.
The third set was no different to the previous two sets as Dimitrov secured the early break in the first game and there was no coming back for a dejected Gasquet as the Bulgarian made light work of the match and secured the win in just over two hours at 2am local time.
Grigor Dimitrov looked very impressive, especially his powerful backhand causing damage to Gasquet. Dimitrov will now play unseeded Denis Istomin in round four.
