Richard Gasquet advanced to the third round of the Pacific Life Open with
a comfortable straight sets victory over American, Kevin Kim, 6-4, 6-3.
Monday Order of PlayGasquet/Grosean vs. Allegro/Federer is scheduled for fourth on court three, with play for the day beginning at 10.00am PST.
The California native, who was playing in front of his home crowd, gave
the Frenchman a few problems early on with both players having
opportunities to break serve. However after squandering a big chance to
break in the game at 4-3, Gasquet made no mistake second time around and
with Kim serving at 4-5 down, the number 16 seed took his first set point
at 30-40 to take the first set 6-4.
Gasquet took the momentum into the second set, going a break up
immediately and taking a 2-0 lead. However Kim wasn’t ready to surrender
the match so early and broke Gasquet straight back to put the set back on
an even keel.
The French teenager, who is making his debut this week in Indian Wells,
dug deep though and at 2-1 he found himself with another opportunity to
break the American. He took his chances and quickly found himself in a
position to close out the match at 5-3.
Gasquet served out the match comfortably and proved he is looking strong
in coming back from his elbow injury as he notched up his third win of the
year. He will next face Slovakian, Hrbary. Allez Richard!
Report by: Kate Flory