Richard Gasquet stomps over Viktor Troicki to reach round three – Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open 2012
Seeded 14th in this blue clay court event, Richard Gasquet, dumped the Serbian tennis star, Viktor Troicki, in straight sets at the Mutua Madrid Madrilena Open 2012 on Wednesday. He nudged up a 7-5, 6-3 score line against the world number 18 to charge into the third round at this Masters 1000 event held in Madrid.
The Swiss resident stayed on track to bid for his seventh ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) career title after outmuscling Troicki in for the first time in their third duel against each other. As a result, Gasquet not only avenged his loss at the Apia International Sydney last season but also advanced into the round of 16.
Gasquet entered Park Manzanares with self-assurance and held his serve in the opening game to take the initial lead. He let his spark lit after that and swiped in his remaining serves without facing any hindrance. The French cashed in lone break opportunity in the last game and clinched the opener with a 7-5 score line.
Ranked 18th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Gasquet kept momentum sailing into the proceeding set and swiftly slid his entire serves without facing any real challenge. He got the breakthrough in the sixth game and clicked the set by winning six games to three.
Overall, the 25-year-old overcame 10 aces hammered by Troicki. Gasquet jolted down a lower first serve share of 57 per cent as opposed to his rival’s 66 per cent but brilliantly availed 25 out of 30 points on it.
Up next for the French is the 16-time Grand Slam titlist, Roger Federer. The Swiss Maestro hit back to thrash Canada’s Milos Raonic in two hours and 13 minutes in their second encounter. He produced almost an equal first serve share of 64 per cent and formulated a 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(4) success with a single break of serve.
Gasquet’s fourth seeded compatriot, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, also stole the show later that day. He was never threatened with any obstacle and capitalised on two out of six break opportunities to clobber a 6-2, 7-6(4) victory in 81 minutes.
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