2011 BNP Paribas Open: Novak Djokovic vs. Richard Gasquet – Preview
World number 3 Novak Djokovic of Serbia will face world number 21 Richard Gasquet of France in the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells on Friday.
In the fourth round, Djokovic thrashed his compatriot, world number 18 Viktor Troicki in straight sets 6-0, 6-1. While, Gasquet upset world number 8 Andy Roddick of USA 6-3, 7-6(5).
The pair will meet for the fifth time. The Serbian has won 3 of the 4 previous matches between these two. In the last meeting between them, Djokovic cruised past Gasquet in straight sets 6-1, 6-1 in the round of 16 at the
Shanghai Rolex Masters last year. However, the Frenchman defeated the Serbian in straight sets 6-4, 6-2 in the round robin match at the Tennis Masters Cup in 2007. The first meeting between Djokovic and Gasquet was in the round of 32 at the Mutua Madrid Open
in 2006, where the Serbian battled past Gasquet in three sets 7-6(2), 1-6, 6-1.
Djokovic is having a great run this year. He is on a 17 match winning streak which dates back to the Serbia vs. France Davis Cup final last year, where Djokovic’s twin victories helped his country to win the title.
The Serbian has already won two titles this season, winning all his 15 matches this year. He started the season at the Australian Open, where he thrashed Andy Murray of Great Britain in straight sets 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 in the
final to win the first grand slam of the year.
Djokovic defeated world number 2, Swiss Maestro, Roger Federer in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 in the final at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship to win his second title of the season. The 23-year-old skipped Serbia vs. India
Davis Cup tie at the start of this month due to fatigue. Instead, he preferred to head to California to prepare for the BNP Paribas Open.
Gasquet, on the other hand, has an 11-5 win/loss record this year. He started the season at the Aircel Chennai Open, where he lost to Bjorn Phau of Germany in three sets 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-7(4) in the second round. The French
lost to Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic in straight sets 2-6, 6-7(3), 2-6 in the third round at the Australian Open.
A week before the start of this championship, Gasquet lost to Federer 2-6, 5-7 in the semi-final at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship.
Djokovic has a 19-4 win/loss record at the BNP Paribas Open. The right handed won the title here in 2008, beating Mardy Fish of USA 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 in the final. He lost to Ivan Ljubicic 5-7, 3-6 in the round of 16 last year.
The Serbian is the favourite to win the match against Gasquet as he is in the best form of his career.
Tags: