Nadal sets up French Open meeting with Gasquet
AP, Paris :
One has become one of tennis’ biggest stars, the other a perennial underachiever.
When Rafael Nadal takes on Richard Gasquet in the third round of the French Open, it will be a meeting between two old friends at Roland Garros.
Both players are the same age – 31 – and have known each other since their pre-teen years.
“I have a great relationship with him, always,” Nadal said after dispatching Guido Pella of Argentina 6-2, 6-1, 6-1 on Court Suzanne Lenglen on Thursday, setting up an encounter with his French rival. “Since we were kids. We met each other first time when we were 12.”
At the time, many observers believed Gasquet headed for a great career. In a country deprived of a male French Open winner since Yannick Noah back in 1983, Gasquet raised immense expectations with his pristine shots and precocity.
A French magazine put him on its front page when he was just 9, with the headline: “The Champion that France has been waiting for?”
Later in his career, Gasquet admitted that he struggled to cope with that pressure. Although he beat Nadal at the Les Petits As tournament – an event for players from 12 to 14 – the Frenchman never did it again after turning pro, losing all of their 15 previous meetings on the Tour.
Gasquet came close at the Monte Carlo Masters in 2005 when they met in the semifinals, only to lose a tough three-set battle.
One has become one of tennis’ biggest stars, the other a perennial underachiever.
When Rafael Nadal takes on Richard Gasquet in the third round of the French Open, it will be a meeting between two old friends at Roland Garros.
Both players are the same age – 31 – and have known each other since their pre-teen years.
“I have a great relationship with him, always,” Nadal said after dispatching Guido Pella of Argentina 6-2, 6-1, 6-1 on Court Suzanne Lenglen on Thursday, setting up an encounter with his French rival. “Since we were kids. We met each other first time when we were 12.”
At the time, many observers believed Gasquet headed for a great career. In a country deprived of a male French Open winner since Yannick Noah back in 1983, Gasquet raised immense expectations with his pristine shots and precocity.
A French magazine put him on its front page when he was just 9, with the headline: “The Champion that France has been waiting for?”
Later in his career, Gasquet admitted that he struggled to cope with that pressure. Although he beat Nadal at the Les Petits As tournament – an event for players from 12 to 14 – the Frenchman never did it again after turning pro, losing all of their 15 previous meetings on the Tour.
Gasquet came close at the Monte Carlo Masters in 2005 when they met in the semifinals, only to lose a tough three-set battle.
