Gasquet secures first point for France
http://www.daviscup.com/news/newsarticle.asp?id=14046
A dominant display by Richard Gasquet gave France a 1-0 lead after
the opening rubber of this Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group first
round tie. The 20-year-old world No.16 defeated Victor Hanescu 75 62 62
in just one hour and 33 minutes.
“I’m really happy that I won the first point,” said Gasquet. “I played
really good. These matches are never easy. Everyone expects you to win
easily so there is pressure. It’s difficult. I was tense when the match
started. In the first set he was serving very well, it was impossible to
return his serve.”
Hanescu had not won a match on the main tour since April 2006 so was always
going to be up against it in facing the precocious talent of Gasquet.
However, despite his lack of match practice at the highest level following
a back injury, the Romanian made an assured start. He won the opening points
of the first two games with searing down-the-line backhand winners and
several aces and many more unreturnable first serves.
There were no deuces in the opening six games, which were completed in a
breakneck 18 minutes. Serve continued to match serve until the eleventh
game, when an overrule by umpire Mohamed Lahyani of Sweden that took
Gasquet to 30-30 proved pivotal. Another close call on the following
point, again in the Frenchman’s favour, gave the youngster the first
break point of the match. Hanescu was momentarily incensed, but after
composing himself netted a backhand to give France the first break of
the tie. Gasquet comfortably held serve to clinch the opening set after
39 minutes.
The two-time Nottingham Open champion enjoyed enthusiastic support from
his home crowd, not least the 150-strong band of French supporters, all
clad in brilliant blue, who cheered relentlessly for the home player,
including an amusing chant to the tune of 'Go West' by the Pet Shop Boys.
Hanescu’s backhand had gone to the wall and it was another error on
that wing that enabled Gasquet to score the first break of the second
set after a lengthy third game. Showing his agility and impressive array
of flashy groundstrokes, Gasquet added a further break and took a commanding
two set lead.
It was more of the same in the third set with the Frenchman making
occasional forays to the net and overwhelming his opponent by denying
him time to settle into rallies. “I took the ball early,” he admitted.
“The court is fast so I have to go to the net, I have to serve well. I
did well. I served good and I volleyed okay.”
Despite facing 0-30 as he served for the match, Gasquet was never once
broken and wrapped up a speedy victory with a mid-court backhand winner.
“He was playing well in the beginning but no so well towards the end of
the match,” said the Frenchman.
“The crowd was great for me today. They helped. It’s always a pleasure
for me to win in France. I love playing in Davis Cup.”
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 134.225.169.81