Richard Gasquet
 |
| Country |
 France |
| Residence |
Neuchâtel, Switzerland |
| Born |
(1986-06-18) 18 June 1986 (age 26)
Béziers, France |
| Height |
1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Weight |
75 kg (170 lb; 11.8 st) |
| Turned pro |
2002 |
| Plays |
Right-handed (one-handed backhand) |
| Career prize money |
$5,532,937 |
| Singles |
| Career record |
260–165 |
| Career titles |
6 |
| Highest ranking |
No. 7 (9 July 2007) |
| Current ranking |
No. 20 (21 May 2012)[1] |
| Grand Slam Singles results |
| Australian Open |
4R (2007, 2008, 2012) |
| French Open |
4R (2011) |
| Wimbledon |
SF (2007) |
| US Open |
4R (2005, 2006, 2010) |
| Doubles |
| Career record |
49–35 (at ATP Tour level, Grand Slam level, and in Davis Cup) |
| Career titles |
2 |
| Highest ranking |
No. 45 (7 April 2008) |
| Grand Slam Doubles results |
| Australian Open |
1R (2006) |
| French Open |
1R (2002, 2003, 2005) |
| Wimbledon |
– |
| US Open |
1R (2008) |
| Last updated on: 17 May 2010. |
Richard Gasquet (French pronunciation: [ʁiʃaʁ ɡasˈkɛ]) (born 18 June 1986) is a French professional tennis player. He won the mixed doubles Grand Slam title at the 2004 French Open, partnering Tatiana Golovin. His highest ranking in singles is #7.[2] His best achievements in tennis are reaching the semi-finals of Wimbledon in 2007 and later that year qualifying for the Tennis Masters Cup. Gasquet is best known for his long winding groundstrokes and his one-handed backhand.
Richard Gasquet was born in Béziers in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. He is the only child in the family. He began playing tennis at the age of 4 under the guidance of his father, Francis, who ran a tennis club, the TC Sérignan, along with his mother Maryse. He appeared on the cover of French Tennis Magazine aged only 9, and was touted as an extremely promising prospect even at such an early age. He was coached by his father during his junior career, and by Tarik Benhabiles for a short period. Since turning professional he has been coached by Eric Deblicker and Guillame Peyre. In February 2010, he hired coach Gabriel Markus, who has worked with Marat Safin and David Nalbandian in the past.
He made his debut on the ATP tour in April 2002, at the Tennis Masters Series tournament at Monte Carlo where he received a wildcard into qualifying and became the youngest player ever to qualify for a Tennis Masters event. At the age of 15 years, 10 months, he defeated Argentina's Franco Squillari in the first round of that tournament to become the youngest player to win a tour-level main draw match since Tommy Ho at Rye Brook in 1988.
Gasquet made his Grand Slam tournament debut at the 2002 French Open at the age of 15 years, 11 months, nine days. He was the second-youngest player ever to compete in the main draw there. Despite his lack of experience, he managed to take a set off the eventual champion Albert Costa in the first round. Gasquet finished 2002 as the no. 1 junior in the world and was named World Junior Champion, having won the junior titles at the French Open and the US Open. He was also the youngest player to finish in year-end ATP top 200.
Gasquet finished 2003 as the youngest player to finish a year inside the ATP top 100. In 2004, he reached his first ATP tournament final at Metz, but lost to fellow countryman Jérôme Haehnel 7–6, 6–4. He also won the mixed doubles trophy at the French Open that year, partnering Tatiana Golovin.
Gasquet missed the first seven weeks of the 2005 season because of chickenpox. Upon his recovery he won back to back challenger titles in March. In April, riding the momentum of a 10 match winning streak, Gasquet reached the semifinals of the Masters Series tournament at Monte Carlo, handing world number one Roger Federer a surprise 7–6, 2–6, 7–6 defeat in the quarterfinal. He saved 3 match points before closing it out in a 10–8 tiebreak. As a result, he became the youngest French player ever to defeat a world number one. However, the eventual champion Rafael Nadal got the better of him in the semi beating Gasquet 6–7, 6–4, 6–3.
Fresh off of his win over world No. 1 Federer and having just beaten Paradorn Srichaphan in straight sets, the rising teen disappointingly lost against Andre Agassi 6–2, 6–3 at Rome's Masters tennis tournament. A month later, he reached the final of the Hamburg Masters, where, this time, he was defeated by Roger Federer in 3 sets.
In May, he won his first Grand Slam singles match at Roland Garros. On 18 June, his 19th birthday, he won his first ATP title, defeating Max Mirnyi in the final of the grass court tournament at Nottingham, England. He then made his Davis Cup debut against Russia in July where he won his first rubber against Igor Andreev but lost his second against Nikolay Davydenko.
Gasquet had to miss the last 2 months of the season because of an elbow injury. He finished the year as French number 1 for the first time.
In 2006, Gasquet had a slow start after a first round defeat to Tommy Haas at the Australian Open. He later avenged this defeat in the Davis Cup 1st round tie against Germany where he beat Haas in 5 sets. However he lost both his singles rubbers in the quarter-final tie versus Russia, and suffered an abdominal injury in that tie which left him out of action for a month. Having struggled to find any form after his comeback during the clay season, Gasquet went out in the 2nd round of the French Open to David Nalbandian, 6–2, 3–6, 7–5, 6–0.
Following on from a disappointing opening half to his season, in the space of 3 weeks he successfully defended his title at Nottingham, lost in a first round meeting with Roger Federer at Wimbledon, and won his 2nd title of the year, on clay, in Gstaad. Gasquet's form continued to improve heading towards the US Open, as he reached the final of the Masters Seriers event in Toronto, again being halted by Federer, in 3 sets 2–6, 6–3, 6–2. He reached the fourth round of the US Open for the 2nd year in a row where he lost to Lleyton Hewitt in 5 sets.
In October he won his 3rd title of the year, this time on indoor carpet, in Lyon, completing his achievement of reaching finals on all four surfaces during the year. His season ended when he withdrew in the third round of the Paris Masters owing to illness. He ended the year as French number 1 for the second straight year.
Gasquet's 2007 started with a quarterfinal in Adelaide, followed by a semifinal in Sydney. He went on to reach the fourth round of the 2007 Australian Open, losing to Tommy Robredo in 4 sets. At the Monte Carlo Masters Series tournament, he notched up his first win over a top 10 opponent of the year, winning his 3rd round match over Ivan Ljubicic, ranked 8 at the time. However he then lost his quarter-final to twice former Monte Carlo champion Juan Carlos Ferrero. Gasquet reached his first final of the season two weeks later, at Estoril, but the up and coming Serbian player Novak Djokovic got the better of him in 3 sets.
He reached the doubles final of the 2007 Monte Carlo Masters with Julien Benneteau, where the French team lost to Bob and Mike Bryan. Despite losing in round 2 of the 2007 French Open to Kristof Vliegen, he rose two spots to a career high #11.
Gasquet then made his first Grand Slam semi-final at Wimbledon. He beat fellow Frenchmen Nicolas Mahut and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on his way to a quarter-final showdown with Andy Roddick. In one of the great Wimbledon quarter-finals, Gasquet recovered from a sluggish start and a deficit of two sets and a break in the third, to upset the two-time finalist by a scoreline of 4–6, 4–6, 7–6, 7–6, 8–6. Gasquet managed to score an amazing 93 winners, many of which were with his almost 'trademark' backhand down the line. He lost in the semi-finals to Roger Federer (who beat him in the first round of the same event the previous year) 7–5, 6–3, 6–4. He made his top 10 debut, at #7, as a result.
The following week in Gstaad, as defending champion, he defeated Rubén Ramírez Hidalgo and avenged his Roland Garros loss to Kristof Vliegen, but lost in the quarter-finals to Igor Andreev 7–5 6–2. He bowed out at the 2007 U.S Open because of a virus. Gasquet returned to action in Mumbai, India winning his 5th career ATP title beating Olivier Rochus in the final. He followed this up by reaching the final of the Tokyo ATP tournament, losing to David Ferrer in straight sets.
He then took a few weeks break and then went to play in 2007 Grand Prix de Tennis de Lyon where he was defending champion. He lost to fellow Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (whom he beat at Wimbledon) in the 3rd round in straight sets.
At the 2007 Paris Masters, Gasquet defeated Tsonga after his loss at Lyon in the second round and sixth seed James Blake in the third round 6–4, 6–4. He beat Andy Murray in the quarter-finals, 6–3, 0–6, 6–4 to reach the semifinals, where he was stopped by David Nalbandian in straight sets. With his performance in Paris, Gasquet qualified for the Tennis Masters Cup, clinching 8th place.
At the Tennis Masters Cup, Gasquet was defeated by Rafael Nadal 3–6, 6–3, 6–4, in his first round-robin match. He then defeated Novak Djokovic 6–4, 6–2, but lost to David Ferrer 6–1, 6–1. Gasquet failed to qualify for the semi-finals, finishing in third place in his group.
Gasquet started out the year as the top seed of the Sydney Medibank International but made an early second round exit to eventual champion Dmitry Tursunov, 3–6, 6–3, 6–4. Gasquet played with compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the doubles final of the Sydney Medibank International, scoring a major upset over world number one duo Bob and Mike Bryan 4–6, 6–4, 11–9. The French combination came back from two match points down to win the championship and deny the Bryan brothers ever winning the tournament.
After defeating Nick Lindahl, Feliciano López and Igor Andreev, Gasquet lost in 4 sets in the round of 16 at the 2008 Australian Open to eventual finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
At his next two tournaments, the Open 13 at Marseille, France, and the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships, Gasquet suffered second round defeats to Robin Söderling and Igor Andreev. At the ATP Masters Series tournament in Indian Wells, California, Gasquet lost in straight sets in the fourth round to James Blake.
At the ATP Masters Series tournament in Key Biscayne, Florida, he lost his opening round match to Dmitry Tursunov (Russia) 3–6, 7–6, 6–7. And at the U.S.A. v. France World Group Quarterfinal Davis Cup match, Gasquet lost in three sets to American James Blake 7–6, 4–6, 4–6 in his opening round match. Then in a controversial move, he later told French Davis Cup Captain, Guy Forget that he was opting out of his key match against Andy Roddick (U.S.A.) in their reverse singles matchup.
After winning his first round match at the Monte Carlo Masters tournament, Gasquet's poor form continued as he lost his second round match to Sam Querrey (U.S.A.) 6–2, 4–6, 3–6 and then both of his opening round matches at the ATP Masters Series events in Rome and Hamburg to Luis Horna (Peru) 4–6, 1–6 and to Andreas Seppi (Italy) 3–6, 2–6 respectively.
With a string of disappointing results behind him, Gasquet admitted to feeling burned out, in dire need of a concerted rest from tennis and admitted a reluctance to play the French Open, the year's second Grand Slam. However he changed coaches immediately ahead of the French Open, and then later decided to pull out of his first round match against Florent Serra, (France) citing a left knee injury problem.
Gasquet, later announced his decision to not take part in the upcoming Summer Olympic games in Beijing, preferring instead to prepare for the US Open which began at the end of the summer hardcourt season in August. He joined fellow world top 10 player Andy Roddick, American Mardy Fish and former top 10 player Tommy Haas of Germany, a silver medalist in 2000 at the Sydney Olympic Games, who all opted out of that year's Olympic Games.
At the new tennis rankings posted on 9 June 2008, Gasquet fell one place from world number 9 to world number 10 in the world.
Gasquet began the grass court season at the The Artois Championships at Queen's Club, London where he defeated Mario Ančić of Croatia 7–6, 6–4 in the second round, and Italian Simone Bolelli 6–3, 6–3 in the third round. However in his quarterfinal match he fell to David Nalbandian of Argentina 4–6, 6–3, 6–7 . This was Gasquet's first Quarterfinal appearance in a tournament this year.
At the Wimbledon Championships, Gasquet was the eight seed and defeated American Mardy Fish in the first round 6–3, 6–4, 6–2. In his next two matches he defeated a pair of his French compatriots, beating Sébastien Grosjean 6–2, 6–2 ret. in the second round; and Gilles Simon 6–3, 6–3, 6–7, 6–3 in the third round. He went out to Britain's Andy Murray in the fourth round 5–7, 3–6, 7–6, 6–2, 6–4 despite serving for the match at 5–4 in the third.
At the new tennis rankings posted on Monday, 7 July 2008, Gasquet fell five places from world number 10 to world number 15, making it the first time in nine months since his ranking fell outside the top 10, and the lowest he had been ranked since April '07.
At the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart, Germany, Gasquet was the second seed and reached his first ATP tour semifinal and final of the year when he defeated Czech qualifier Lukáš Rosol 6–7, 6–2, 6–2 in the first round; and then defeated Spaniard Albert Montañés 6–3, 7–6 in the quarterfinals. Gasquet beat sixth-seeded Argentine Agustín Calleri in the semifinals 6–7, 6–2, 6–3 to reach his first final of the year [1]. Favourite to win the tournament, Gasquet suffered a surprise defeat in the finals to Argentine teenager Juan Martín del Potro in straight sets, 6–4, 7–5.
Gasquet began with a first round win over Frenchman Michaël Llodra in Cincinnati Masters, after Llodra retired, 3–6, 6–1, 1–0. He then lost in the second round to Dmitry Tursunov in straight sets 7–6, 6–0.
Gasquet made an early first round exit from US Open, losing against Tommy Haas 6–7, 6–4, 5–7, 7–5, 6–2.
Richard started his 2009 tour season at the Brisbane International in Brisbane, Australia. Gasquet came back from a set down to defeat Marc Gicquel in the first round 4–6 6–2 6–2. Richard then had a straight-sets win over American Taylor Dent in the second roun, 7–5, 6–4. Richard then pulled off an upset by defeating number 2 seed, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarterfinals, 1–6, 6–4, 6–2. Richard lost to Radek Štěpánek in the semifinals 6–2, 2–6, 4–6.
Richard then traveled to Sydney, Australia for the Medibank International. He defeated defending champion Dmitry Tursunov in the first round, 7–6, 6–4. He then defeated second seed and compatriot, Gilles Simon in straight sets, 6–4, 6–4. Gasquet then defeated countryman Jérémy Chardy, 6–2, 7–6, before losing to David Nalbandian in the semifinal 4–6, 3–6.
At the Australian Open, he won his first round match against Argentine Diego Junqueira 6–7, 7–6, 6–3, 6–4. He defeated Denis Istomin in the second round, 6–3 6–4 6–4. In the third round, he lost to Fernando González 6–3, 6–3, 6–7, 2–6, 10–12, in a match that lasted over four hours. He held a match point in the third-set tiebreak, but was unable to convert it.
Richard had to pull out of the tournament in Marseille because of a right shoulder injury. His next tournament was scheduled to be Dubai. In the first round, he managed to defeat Marat Safin 6–3, 5–7, 6–3. He then defeated Italian Simone Bolelli 6–7, 6–3, 7–6, and received a bye to the semifinal following Andy Murray's withdrawal because of illness. Richard was then defeated by David Ferrer 2–6, 2–6.
He then participated in the Davis Cup to represent France with compatriots Gilles Simon, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and Gaël Monfils against the Czech Republic in the first round. Gasquet teamed up with Michaël Llodra (who replaced Monfils) to play the doubles rubber on day two, but lost in four sets against Radek Štěpánek and Tomáš Berdych. France then went on to lose the tie 2–3, the first time they had exited in the first round since 2000.
His next tournament at the BNP Paribas Open Masters 1000 in Indian Wells, he received a bye in the first round, and then breezed past compatriot Michaël Llodra 6–4, 6–0. But he was dumped out by Fernando Verdasco 3–6, 2–6, in the third round.
On 9 May 2009, French sports daily L'Équipe reported that he had tested positive for cocaine in March 2009, following his withdrawal from a tournament in Miami. [2] On 5 June 2009, in an interview with the same newspaper, Richard Gasquet denies having taken cocaine, notably quoting the fact that the amount found accounts for 1/10 of a rail line. [3] Gasquet was provisionally suspended, but was later cleared as a result of his explanation that he had inadvertently consumed the drug after kissing a woman who had consumed it at a party. [4] As of 16 July 2009, he is thus able to compete again. Gasquet warmly praised Rafael Nadal for his support during the period of his ban: "Rafa supported me more than anyone in the last few months and if he ever needs me to help him, I will do what I can. I'll never forget what he's done for me. Now I just want to get out and play."
After months of being sidelined, Gasquet made his return to the tour at the Pilot Pen championship in New Haven to qualify for the main draw, but lost in the second round of qualifying.
Playing in his first Grand Slam since January, Gasquet faced Rafael Nadal in the first round of the US Open, but lost 2–6, 2–6, 3–6. Despite the obvious signs of rustiness, Gasquet played well, considering his three month absence but was unable to overcome Nadal.
He played in his next tournament at the Open de Moselle in Metz. He made a solid run, beating Michael Berrer 6–3, 2–6, 7–6, Christophe Rochus 7–5, 4–6, 6–2, and Philipp Petzschner, 6–7, 6–1, 6–3 to reach his first ATP semifinals since January. Unfortunately, his run ended at the hands of compatriot and eventual champion of the tournament, Gaël Monfils 4–6, 3–6.
He also made a quarterfinal run in the Kuala Lumpur Open 250 tournament in Malaysia, losing to Fernando Verdasco 5–7 4–6, (despite holding a 3–0 lead in the first set). His season came to a conclusion after this tournament.
Gasquet began the season at the Brisbane International. He defeated Jarkko Nieminen 6–3, 4–6, 6–4, and Australian qualifer Matthew Ebden 6–3, 6–4, but he lost to Andy Roddick in the quarterfinals 3–6, 6–7. He then entered the Medibank International in Sydney. There, he beat Feliciano López 6–1, 6–4, in the first round. In the second round, he defeated Benjamin Becker 6–2, 7–6. In the quarterfinals, Gasquet defeated Potito Starace 6–3, 7–6, and Julien Benneteau 6–4, 7–5, in the semifinals. However, he lost in the final to Marcos Baghdatis 4–6, 6–7.
At the Australian Open, he lost to Mikhail Youzhny 7–6, 6–4, 6–7, 6–7, 4–6, in the first round, despite having match point several times in the third and fourth sets. He was also a break up in the fifth set, but in the end he couldn't close out the opportunities.
Gasquet withdrew from both the Movistar Open and the 2010 Brasil Open because of a recurring injury, but returned at the 2010 Copa Telmex, where he lost in the first round to Juan Ignacio Chela 6–7, 5–7. Next, Gasquet played at Abierto Mexicano Telcel, where he defeated Carlos Moyá 4–6, 6–3, 6–2, in the first round. In the second round, however, he lost to defending champion Nicolás Almagro 6–3, 5–7, 6–7.
He lost in the first round of both the 2010 BNP Paribas Open to Simon Greul 6–7, 6–7, and the 2010 Sony Ericsson Open to Olivier Rochus 6–7, 6–1, 4–6. In April, he played at the 2010 Grand Prix Hassan II, where he defeated, Olivier Rochus and Andrey Golubev with the same scoreline 6–1, 6–1. In the quarterfinals, he lost to Romanian Victor Hănescu in a tough three-set match 6–7, 6–4, 3–6.
Next, he played at the 2010 Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters. He advanced to the second round after a three-set win over Spain's Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6–2, 4–6, 6–2. Unfortunately, he was soundly beaten in the second round by 10th seed Tomáš Berdych 2–6, 0–6.
He lost to Fernando Verdasco 7–5, 6–3, in the second round of the 2010 Barcelona Open Banco Sabadell after defeating Igor Andreev 7–6, 6–4, in the first round.
Gasquet defeated Olivier Rochus for the second time this year 6–0, 6–1, in the Serbian Open and survived against Andreas Seppi 4–6, 6–2, 7–5, in over two hours. Gasquet then lost in a tough two hour and twenty minute match against John Isner 6–2, 6–7, 3–6, while being two points away from victory and a break up in the final set. After this upsetting loss, Richard then played in the ATP Tour Challenger event in the 2010 BNP Paribas Primrose Bordeaux, where he defeated Thierry Ascione, Alex Bogdanovic, Olivier Rochus, and Florent Serra in straight sets, and then in the final he defeated Michaël Llodra of France a tough encounter 4–6, 6–1, 6–4.
Gasquet then came in with good form and confidence as he entered the 2010 Open de Nice Côte d'Azur as preparation for the French Open. He won his opening match against the Slovak Lukáš Lacko 6–3, 6–0, before advancing to the quarterfinals with a hard-fought 6–0, 2–6, 6–3 victory over Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine. He then defeated Belgian Olivier Rochus (for the third time this year) 6–4, 6–2, and Potito Starace 7–6, 7–6, to reach his third final (but his second in ATP-level) this year. In the final against no. 2 seed Fernando Verdasco, Gasquet blew a 6–3, 5–4 lead (while serving for the match), but eventually prevailed 6–3, 5–7, 7–6, to end his two and a half year title drought. As a result, he brought his head-to-head series against Verdasco to 5–5, while snapping a five-match losing streak against him.
Richard lost his first-round match of the 2010 French Open against the fourth seed Andy Murray. According to the South African Airways Rankings, Gasquet had moved 23 places from no. 68 to no. 45. Gasquet played well throughout the match; he was two sets up against the number 4 seed Andy Murray, but lost three consecutive sets, and lost the match 6–4, 7–6, 4–6, 2–6, 1–6, due to his lack of fitness.
Gasquet then played the AEGON Championships in preparation for Wimbledon. He won his first match against Japan's Kei Nishikori, 6–3, 6–3. He then won in the second round against Rajeev Ram, 6–3, 7–5, but in the third round, he withdrew against Rainer Schüttler of Germany due to a back injury. He withdrew from the 2010 Wimbledon Championships as a result.
After being sidelined for a lengthy period, Richard then appeared at the 2010 Allianz Suisse Open Gstaad in Switzerland. Seeded seventh, he had victories over Farrukh Dustov, Daniel Brands and fourth seed Albert Montañés to reach the semifinals. In the semifinals, he defeated Yuri Schukin for a place in the final. There, he lost to Nicolás Almagro 5–7, 1–6.
At the Cincinnati Masters, he reached the third round, beating Mikhail Youzhny in the process before falling to Mardy Fish. Then at the US Open he brushed aside sixth seed Nikolay Davydenko in the second round, the Russian winning a mere nine games. He lost in the fourth round to fellow Frenchman Gaël Monfils in straight sets, despite having held set points in both the second and third sets
At the 2010 Shanghai Rolex Masters 1000, Gasquet advanced to the third round, defeating Ernests Gulbis and compatriot Gaël Monfils, before losing to Novak Djokovic, 1–6, 1–6. He reached the quarterfinals in Basel before falling to Victor Troicki in a lacklustre display, 4–6, 2–6. At the Paris Masters, he outlasted Nicolas Mahut in a marathon, winning 9–7 in the third set tiebreak, before falling to Roger Federer in straight sets in the second round. He made the Davis Cup team for France in the final against Serbia.
Gasquet began 2011 at the 2011 Aircel Chennai Openm losing to Björn Phau 6–1, 6–7, 6–7. He then headed to Australia to play in the 2011 Medibank International Sydney, losing to Viktor Troicki 4–6, 4–6. He then played in the first Grand Slam of the year at the 2011 Australian Open, losing in the third round to Tomáš Berdych 2–6, 6–7, 3–7, 2–6. He then competed at the 2011 PBZ Zagreb Indoors, where he reached the quarterfinals after a bye and the withdrawal of Arnaud Clément. However, he retired against Michael Berrer, 2–5 down due to a shoulder injury. After a short break, he played in the 2011 Dubai Tennis Championships, where he defeated qualifiers Grigor Dimitrov and Sergei Bubka, as well as compatriot Gilles Simon, before he lost to top seed Roger Federer in the semifinals in straight sets, despite serving for the second set. At the BNP Paribas Open, he defeated top-10 players Jürgen Melzer and Andy Roddick back to back. It was the first time in his career that he had defeated two top-10 players consecutively. He lost to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals. With the result, he made his return to the top 20 of the rankings. In Miami, he played Paolo Lorenzi, who upset Ivan Ljubičić, in the second round. He won that match, but fell to Mardy Fish 4–6, 3–6. Gasquet then played in the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, where he had a tough first-round victory over Denis Istomin 5–7, 6–3, 6–4. He then breezed through his second-round match 6–2, 6–1 against Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, before falling to Rafael Nadal in the third round 2–6, 4–6.
At the Mutua Madrid Open, Gasquet was defeated in the first round by the Spaniard Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6–3, 4–6, 3–6.
At the Italian Open, he played Roger Federer in the third round, and came from behind to claim a spectacular victory 4–6, 7–6, 7–6. He was defeated by Rafael Nadal in the semifinals 5–7, 1–6.
At the French Open, Gasquet cruised through his first two rounds before impressively defeating Thomaz Bellucci in four sets in front of an animated Parisian crowd. He, however, lost to Novak Djokovic in straight sets in round four and rose to world no. 13 as a result.
At Wimbledon, he was defeated in the fourth round by Andy Murray 6–7, 3–6, 2–6. He reached the third rounds of the Rogers Cup in Canada and the Southern & Western Open in Cincinnati, where he was defeated by Nicolás Almagro and Mardy Fish, respectively.
In the US Open, he lost in the second round to Ivo Karlović 4–6, 2–6, 6–2, 6–7.
Coached by Riccardo Piatti, Gasquet kicked off his 2012 season by competing at the 2012 Hopman Cup alongside top-10 WTA pro Marion Bartoli. He made the quarterfinals in the Apia International Sydney.
He competed in the 2012 Australian Open shortly afterwards, seeing off Italian Andreas Seppi 6–3, 3–6, 6–3, 6–1 in the first round. In the second round, he won 6–4, 6–2, 3–0 against Uzbekistani player Andrey Golubev, who was forced to retire due to injury. In the third round, he shocked ninth seed Serbian Janko Tipsarević in straight sets, 6–3, 6–3, 6–1. In the fourth round, he faced fifth seed Spaniard David Ferrer, bowing out of the tournament in a 4–6, 4–6, 1–6 defeat.
Immediately thereafter, he made the quarterfinals at the Open Sud de France, losing to Juan Martín del Potro.
In February, he made the quarterfinals in Rotterdam, before losing to Nikolay Davydenko in straight sets. In Indian Wells, he lost his first match to Albert Ramos.
Gasquet reached the fourth round in Miami, but was defeated by eventual champion Novak Djokovic, 5-7, 3-6. He reached the final in Estoril, where he lost to Juan Martín del Potro in straight sets, 4-6, 2-6.
In Madrid, Gasquet beat Thomaz Bellucci and Victor Troicki, before succumbing to Roger Federer, 3-6, 2-6.
Gasquet defeated Andy Murray in the third round of the Rome Masters, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2. He then lost to David Ferrer in the quarterfinals. His next tournament is Roland Garros.
Gasquet is noted for his powerful and precise single-handed backhand, his flair and shot-making ability and is also known for his speed around the court. He is an all-court player. Gasquet's single-handed backhand features a high take back, utilising gravity, coils up (very low to the ground), and slowly unwinds, unleashing one of the best backhands on the ATP tour. However, his forehand can be considered a weaker shot. He is capable of hitting big winners with his forehand, but in general, his rally forehand lacks consistent depth.
Gasquet has earned much praise for his "natural ability".[3] One of the accolades he has received is recognition of his ability to play all-round complete tennis. During a Davis cup match against Marat Safin, British TV presenter Barry Cowan described him as "naturally more talented than Federer".
Many, including Peter Fleming, have sung similar praises of the young Frenchman's talent.
Gasquet uses the Head Liquidmetal Instinct Tour XL racquet painted as YouTek IG Extreme Pro with Tourna Grip and 2009 Team series bag from Head. His racquet is strung with Luxilon Big Banger Original 16 String. He wears clothing by Lacoste. His shoe of choice is Asics. He also has Lagardère Tags on his sleeves.
| Legend |
| Grand Slam Tournaments (0–0) |
| ATP World Tour Finals (0–0) |
| ATP World Tour Masters 1000 (0–2) |
| ATP World Tour 500 Series (0–2) |
| ATP World Tour 250 Series (6–5) |
|
| Finals by Surface |
| Hard (1–4) |
| Clay (2–5) |
| Grass (2–0) |
| Carpet (1–0) |
|
| Outcome |
No. |
Date |
Tournament |
Surface |
Opponent |
Score |
| Runner-up |
1. |
11 October 2004 |
Metz, France |
Hard (i) |
Jérôme Haehnel |
6–7(9–11), 4–6 |
| Runner-up |
2. |
9 May 2005 |
 Hamburg, Germany |
Clay |
 Roger Federer |
3–6, 5–7, 6–7(4–7) |
| Winner |
1. |
13 June 2005 |
 Nottingham, United Kingdom |
Grass |
 Max Mirnyi |
6–2, 6–3 |
| Winner |
2. |
19 June 2006 |
Nottingham, United Kingdom (2) |
Grass |
 Jonas Björkman |
6–4, 6–3 |
| Winner |
3. |
10 July 2006 |
Gstaad, Switzerland |
Clay |
 Feliciano López |
7–6(7–4), 6–7(3–7), 6–3 |
| Runner-up |
3. |
7 August 2006 |
 Toronto, Canada |
Hard |
Roger Federer |
6–2, 3–6, 2–6 |
| Winner |
4. |
23 October 2006 |
Lyon, France |
Carpet (i) |
Marc Gicquel |
6–3, 6–1 |
| Runner-up |
4. |
29 April 2007 |
 Estoril, Portugal |
Clay |
 Novak Djokovic |
6–7(7–9), 6–0, 1–6 |
| Winner |
5. |
30 September 2007 |
 Mumbai, India |
Hard |
 Olivier Rochus |
6–3, 6–4 |
| Runner-up |
5. |
1 October 2007 |
 Tokyo, Japan |
Hard |
David Ferrer |
1–6, 2–6 |
| Runner-up |
6. |
13 July 2008 |
Stuttgart, Germany |
Clay |
 Juan Martín del Potro |
4–6, 5–7 |
| Runner-up |
7. |
16 January 2010 |
 Sydney, Australia |
Hard |
 Marcos Baghdatis |
4–6, 6–7(2–7) |
| Winner |
6. |
22 May 2010 |
Nice, France |
Clay |
Fernando Verdasco |
6–3, 5–7, 7–6(7–5) |
| Runner-up |
8. |
1 August 2010 |
Gstaad, Switzerland |
Clay |
Nicolás Almagro |
5–7, 1–6 |
| Runner-up |
9. |
6 May 2012 |
Estoril, Portugal (2) |
Clay |
Juan Martín del Potro |
4–6, 2–6 |
| Legend |
| Grand Slam Tournaments (0–0) |
| ATP World Tour Finals (0–0) |
| ATP World Tour Masters 1000 (0–1) |
| ATP World Tour 500 Series (0–0) |
| ATP World Tour 250 Series (2–1) |
|
| Titles by Surface |
| Hard (2–1) |
| Clay (0–1) |
| Grass (0–0) |
| Carpet (0–0) |
|
| Outcome |
No. |
Date |
Tournament |
Surface |
Partner |
Opponents |
Score |
| Winner |
1. |
8 May 2006 |
Metz, France |
Hard (i) |
Fabrice Santoro |
 Julian Knowle
Jürgen Melzer |
3–6, 6–1, [11–9] |
| Runner-up |
1. |
14 April 2007 |
 Monte Carlo, Monaco |
Clay |
Julien Benneteau |
 Bob Bryan
Mike Bryan |
2–6, 1–6 |
| Winner |
2. |
7 January 2008 |
Sydney, Australia |
Hard |
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga |
Bob Bryan
Mike Bryan |
4–6, 6–4, [11–9] |
| Runner-up |
2. |
1 November 2009 |
 St. Petersburg, Russia |
Hard (i) |
Jérémy Chardy |
Colin Fleming
Ken Skupski |
6–2, 5–7, [4–10] |
Current through 2012 Internazionali BNL d'Italia.
| Persondata |
| Name |
Gasquet, Richard |
| Alternative names |
|
| Short description |
French tennis player |
| Date of birth |
18 June 1986 |
| Place of birth |
Béziers, France |
| Date of death |
|
| Place of death |
|
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