Australian Open, Gasquet



In the 2013 Australian Open, Richard Gasquet defeated Albert Montanes, Alejandro Falla, and Ivan Dodig before falling to fellow Frenchman Jo-Wilfred Tsonga 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 2-6 in the round of 16.

The name Richard Gasquet is frequently preceded by the phrase, “perennial underachiever.” It isn’t that Gasquet doesn’t have game. He has quite a lot of it. In a single match, Gasquet is capable of taking points with many weapons:

A devastating backhand that he seemingly unloads from nowhere, turning a cross-court rally into a winner in the open-court.

A flat, crisp, ‘Federer-esque’ forehand that allows him to dominate and control points from the T.

Concealed dropshots that, while excellent in themselves, gain extra potency when combined with the above strokes.

Sure-handed volleying that allow Gasquet to consistently secure points when in control.

The occasional big serve or ace.

Gasquet is not a player of speed, but one of balance. Although he lacks the stunning athleticism that characterize the top four (and the now-defunct Big Four), Gasquet rarely seems wrong-footed. He moves around the court with ease, along the baseline and especially to the net.

With these weapons in hand, Monsieur Gasquet won three titles last year, Moscow, Montpellier, Doha, all on hard court–two of them indoors. On his way to the title at Montpellier, Gasquet beat a who’s who of French tennis, including the ever-dangerous Gael Monfils. However, Gasquet will certainly remember 2013 for his semi-final run at the US Open where he defeated Milos Raonic and David Ferrer before falling to the eventual champion, Rafael Nadal.

Unfortunately for the Frenchman, defeating Ferrer is unlikely to translate to a Grand Slam title in 2014. Gasquet’s game was on full display during the World Tour Finals in London, where he took sets off both Juan Martin Del Potro and Novak Djokovic. Yet, even on his favored indoor hard courts, Gasquet could not win a match, losing in three to the Serb and the Argentine and then to Roger Federer in a quick two before being eliminated.

At 27, the talent-heavy, results-thin Gasquet is entering the now-or-never phase of his career. The addition of a new coach, two-time French Open champion Sergi Bruguera, likely reflects Gasquet’s desire to end the 2014 season not only in the top ten, but as a champion himself. Expect a focused and mercy-free Gasquet to make his way through the Australian Open’s early rounds.

Despite his potential and peak athleticism, Gasquet will have a tough time of it–the tour’s well-known and seemingly impenetrable oligarchy do not cede spots in Grand Slam finals easily. Expect to see Gasquet in a tough, exhilarating, and ultimately unsuccessful five-setter late in the Australian Open.