Hugo Gaston, the only Frenchman to have passed the first round of qualifying at the Rolex Paris Masters, won his qualification for the Parisian Masters 1000 this Sunday. To do this, the Toulousain overcame Lorenzo Musetti in three rounds.
Hugo Gaston joins Gaël Monfils, Benoit Paire, Adrian Mannarino, Arthur Rinderknech, Richard Gasquet and Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the main draw of the Rolex Paris Masters, last Masters 1000 of the season. The Toulousain, on the edge of the abyss but finally winner (7-6, 2-6, 7-6) of Kevin Anderson this Saturday, did it again this Sunday against the Italian Lorenzo Musetti, who fell to Lucas Pouille in the previous round. He had, once again, strong nerves in this meeting where his opponent was the first to take the lead. Broken for the first time, Hugo Gaston erased this handicap before giving up his service again at the worst of times (5-3), to let Musetti serve for the win of the first set. Back to the wall, the 107th world was also badly embarked in the second round. He conceded the first break at 1-1 but was able to pick up in stride.
.@HugoGaston7 all to his joy ✊?!
At the mental level, the French won his qualification for the big table of #RolexParisMasters ?. He eliminates the Italian prodigy Lorenzo Musetti 3-6 6-3 6-4. pic.twitter.com/r21KQiTVd4
— ROLEX PARIS MASTERS (@RolexPMasters) October 31, 2021
A final blow of brilliance in 2021?
The roles were reversed compared to the first round since Gaston, who found good efficiency behind his first ball (12/15 points on his first serve), took a break in advance (3-6, 5-3 ). This allows him to serve to tie a round everywhere. An opportunity far too good not to be converted. Instability then won over both players, who lost their first two service games in the decisive set. A third and last break in favor of the Frenchman got the better of Lorenzo Musetti (3-6, 6-3, 6-4). Marc Barbier’s protégé succeeds where he failed in the same Accor Arena two years ago, in the last round of qualifying. He hopes to strike a last big blow this year, he who has played five finals, including his first on the major circuit (in Gstaad), all lost. A good week in Paris can bring him a little closer to the top 100 and a direct entry into the table for the next Australian Open.
