Gasquet Withdraws; Donald Young Advances to 3rd Round
Thursday, August 30, 2007
By Neil Schlecht
Richard Gasquet, the No. 13 seed and this year’s Wimbledon semifinalist,
withdrew unexpectedly this morning before a highly anticipated 2nd-round
match with the American upstart Donald Young.
Gasquet attributed his woes to a viral infection, which left him with a
fever and sore throat. “I am really, really disappointed because it's an
important tournament for me,” said Gasquet. “I practice this morning,
but nothing is possible for me.”
Gasquet chose not to play rather than take the court and perhaps have to
retire. “With my illness, I'm sure I can't win this match,” he said.
Young, who in the first round captured his first victory in a Grand Slam,
said, “I’d prefer to win it, but I’ll take this also.” The American
moves on to face either the Russian Igor Andreev, who defeated Andy Roddick
at the French Open this year, or Feliciano Lopez, who upset fellow Spaniard
Juan Carlos Ferrero in the first round.
The encounter, to be have been played second on Armstrong Stadium, figured
to be an intriguing matchup of talented shotmakers. Gasquet, long touted as
the phenom of French tennis, has had an inconsistent rise to the top. His
commitment to the game and mental fortitude have not always been the equal
of his talent.
Young, were he to survive the 3rd round, could face either No. 1 Roger
Federer or the rising American John Isner, who like Young is enjoying a
breakthrough on the ATP tour.
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