2024-01-16 14:33:27
Richard Gasquet gave everything, for a little over an hour and ten minutes of a breathtaking first set, in the legendary Rod Laver Arena where he faced world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz this Tuesday morning in the first round of the Open from Australia. An intense, extremely close fight which saw the Frenchman defy all predictions by looking the young Spaniard straight in the eyes, where some imagined a quick defeat.
The Frenchman’s resilience even pushed this first round to a tie-break, at the end of a 6-game tie, even if Gasquet, ranked 131st in the world, had opportunities to make a difference earlier. At 3-2 in the deciding game, on the Spaniard’s serve, a point won at the end of the suspense by Gasquet came to symbolize the whole start of the match.
A point which lasted approximately 37 seconds and which saw the two men exchange, at a brisk pace, 24 blows in total. The Frenchman quickly managed to take the game to his advantage, relentlessly attacking an impeccable Alcaraz defensively at the back of the court. Gasquet sent several heavy strikes, very well placed, each time returned by the Spaniard who ended up giving his opponent a delivery a little softer than the others, which Gasquet hastened to convert with a long backhand. magnificent line. “Anthology”, even dares the X account of Eurosport Spain, broadcaster of the competition.
The exchange unfortunately did not bring luck to Gasquet, who finally conceded the first set (7-6) after losing the decisive game (7-5). And then to very quickly come back down, leaving room for Alcaraz to show all his talent at the start of the second set, which he won in around thirty minutes (6-1)… Even in the event of elimination, Richard Gasquet can already be satisfied with the fight he imposed on the Spaniard, and the beautiful emotions he gave viewers.
#Australian #Open #shots #anthology #setback #Gasquets #incredible #point #Alcaraz