2011 BNP Paribas Open: Andy Roddick vs. Richard Gasquet – Preview
World number eight, Andy Roddick of USA will meet world number 21 Richard Gasquet of France in the fourth round at the BNP Paribas Open on Wednesday.
In the third round, Roddick defeated his compatriot, world number 33 John Isner in straight sets 7-5, 6-2. On the other hand, Gasquet cruised past world number 10 Jurgen Melzer of Austria 6-1, 6-3.
This will be the 5th meeting between Roddick and Gasquet with the American leading 3-1 in the head-to-head record.
Roddick defeated the Frenchman in straight sets 6-3, 7-6(5) when the pair met last time in the quarterfinal at the Brisbane International last year.
The first meeting between these two was in the round of 16 at the Bank Austria Tennis Trophy in 2006, where the American won in three sets 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3.
However, Gasquet prevailed over Roddick in the toughest contest between these two. He defeated the American in five thrilling sets, after coming back from 2 sets to love down, 4-6, 4-6, 7-6(2), 7-6(3), 8-6 in the quarterfinal at
the Wimbledon in 2007. The marathon match lasted for 3 hours and 34 minutes.
Roddick has a 16-2 win/loss record this year. The American started the season at the Brisbane International, where he lost to Robin Soderling of Sweden in straight sets 3-6, 5-7 in the final. He was beaten by Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka
3-6, 4-6, 4-6 in the round of 16 at the Australian Open.
The American is on a nine match winning streak. Before winning his two previous matches at this championship, the right handed won both of his matches in the USA vs. Chile Davis Cup tie earlier this month. He also won the title
at Regions Morgan Keegan Championships, beating Milos Raonic of Canada in three sets 7-6(7), 6-7(11), 7-5 in the final.
Gasquet, on the other hand, has won 10 out of 15 matches this year. He began the season at the Chennai Open, where he lost to Bjorn Phau of Germany in three sets 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-7(4) in the round of 16. The French lost to Tomas
Berdych in straight sets 2-6, 6-7(3), 2-6 in the third round of the Australian Open. The 24-year-old was thrashed by world number 2 Roger Federer 2-6, 5-7 in the semi-final at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship.
Roddick has a 25-8 win/loss record at the BNP Paribas Open. He lost to Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia 6-7(3), 6-7(5) in the final last year. The American was defeated by Rafael Nadal of Spain 4-6, 6-7(4) in the semi-final in 2009.
On the other hand, Gasquet has a 7-5 win/loss record at the BNP Paribas Open. The French was upset by Simon Greul of Germany 6-7(6), 6-7(7) in the opening round last year. He lost to Fernando Verdasco of Spain 3-6, 2-6 in the round
of 32 in 2009.
Roddick, seeded 8th at this year’s championship, is expected to prevail over Gasquet in the coming match due to his better form and higher ranking.
The winner of this match will play either world number 3 Novak Djokovic of Serbia or world number 18 Viktor Troicki of Russia in the quarterfinal.
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