The former seventh-ranked player in the world showcased his skills to eliminate the in-form player from Kazakhstan. Richard Gasquet, who is currently ranked 126th, is participating in the ongoing tournament in Doha on a wildcard entry. He proved his worth right from the first round of the competition.
During the match, the 37-year-old French veteran faced off against the emerging player from Kazakhstan, Alexander Shevchenko, in their first-ever meeting. Shevchenko had been in great form after reaching the quarterfinals of the ATP-500 event in Rotterdam last week. This was his second quarterfinal appearance in his last three tournaments. In Rotterdam, he caused an upset by defeating the third-seeded player in three sets, knocking out the favorite in the second round.
However, Gasquet demonstrated his expertise against the young opponent. When serving for the first set at 5-4 with the score tied at 30-30, the two players engaged in a brief yet impressive rally. Shevchenko targeted Gasquet’s backhand, but the Frenchman responded with a remarkable single-handed backhand shot that crossed the court. Shevchenko managed to reach the ball and returned it wider than his previous shot. Gasquet, who was not in the camera frame, unleashed another powerful trademark backhand shot down the line. The speed and accuracy of the shot made it difficult for Shevchenko to reach in time, ultimately earning Gasquet the point.
Gasquet entered the tournament on a four-match losing streak. He had a disappointing start to his 2024 season, losing in the first round in Auckland. His subsequent appearances in the , the Open Sud de France in Montpellier, and the Open 13 in Marseille also ended in defeat. Given his recent struggles on home soil, not many expected Gasquet to secure a victory in Doha.
However, Gasquet silenced his critics by defeating Shevchenko 6-4, 6-4. Prior to the tournament, Gasquet had reached the finals of the Challenger event in Manama, which provided him with valuable practice and helped him secure his first win of the season on the ATP Tour.
Gasquet’s next challenge will be facing the top-seeded player in the upcoming round. The Russian player has been in good form and will undoubtedly pose a significant test for the former seventh-ranked player in the world.
According to the Source firstsportz.com