Richard Gasquet stuns Andy Roddick to reach quarterfinals of BNP Paribas Open
World number 21 Richard Gasquet of France defeated world number 8 Andy Roddick of USA in straight sets 6-3, 7-6(5) in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells on Wednesday. The Frenchman took 1 hour and 45 minutes
to undo his opponent.
Gasquet broke Roddick in the fourth game of the opening set and held his next service game to take a 4-1 lead. He consolidated on the single break of serve, winning the first set 6-3.
The French hit 3 aces and 72 per cent of the first serves in the first set. He won 78 percent of the points on his first serves. On the other hand, Roddick hit 67 per cent of the first serves, winning 75 per cent of the points
on them.
Gasquet converted one of the three break points he received in the first set and did not face any break point in the opening set.
After winning the first set, Gasquet started from where he left in the previous set securing an early lead by breaking Roddick in the opening game of the first set. However, Roddick broke back in the 8th game to level
the set score at 4-4. Both players held their serves in the next four games, taking the set to a tie-break. Gasquet claimed the mini-break in the tie-break to win it 7-5.
The French hit 5 aces and 2 double faults in the second set. He delivered 59 per cent of the first serves, winning 77 per cent of the points on them. On the other hand, Roddick hit 62 per cent of the first serves and converted
64 per cent of them into points.
Gasquet saved 4 of the 5 break points he faced in the second set. In comparison, Roddick managed to save 3 of the 4 break points.
The French will next play world number three Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the quarterfinals. The Serbian thrashed his compatriot, world number 18, Viktor Troicki in straight sets 6-0, 6-1 in the fourth round.
This will be the 5th meeting between these two. Djokovic leads Gasquet 3-1 in the head-to-head record.
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