Gael Monfils undoes Richard Gasquet in straight sets at Barcelona Open third round
French tennis player Gael Monfils undid compatriot Richard Gasquet in the third round of the 2011 Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, defeating his opponent in straight sets to qualify for the quarterfinals of the clay tournament. Monfils
was seeded seventh at the tournament, and his compatriot followed up not far behind as the ninth seed. The higher-ranked French player managed to defeat his fellow countryman in straight sets 6-4, 7-6(7), taking just a little over one hour and thirty-six minutes
to qualify for the quarterfinals.
Although the match was not exactly an easy one for the player, he did not have much trouble dispatching Gasquet in the first set. Despite the fact that Gasquet scored more aces and committed less double faults, Monfils managed
to take the lead in spite of three double faults. He broke Richard Gasquet twice in the first set alone, and was broken just once himself. The player ended the first set by taking two points more than Gasquet, leading him to take 52 per cent of the total points
played in the set. Monfils won the first set 6-4.
The second set was a more competitive one, as Gasquet seemed to realize that his chance in the quarterfinals was at stake. The pro played ruthlessly in this part of the match, committing just one double fault and breaking Monfils
twice. Along with this, he was broken just once by Monfils out of five opportunities. The second set lasted for six service and return games apiece, after which Gasquet delayed Monfils’ straight-sets victory by some minutes. The set was pushed into a tie-breaker,
and it seemed as if the two Frenchmen would be playing three sets today. However, Monfils pushed on to win two points more than his opponent in the second set again, winning the match with a score-line of 6-4, 7-6(7).
The two players have competed against each other seven times before, and their head-to-head record is now 4-3 for Gael Monfils. Monfils will now face Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals at Barcelona.
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