Rather interesting lately on clay, Richard Gasquet was released on Monday in Hamburg. The Frenchman was beaten in straight sets (7-5, 6-4) by Daniel Altmaier.
Stoppage for Richard Gasquet. Rather comfortable on clay lately (finalist in the San Benedetto Challenger against Benoit Paire and winner of Holger Rune in the Hopman Cup), the Frenchman suffered an entry defeat in Hamburg on Monday. Opposed on the German ocher surface to Daniel Altmaier, the current 48th in the world ATP ranking was dominated in two sets (7-5, 6-4) and 1h54 of play. At home, the German initially started very badly by losing his face-off, before catching up with style by pocketing the next four games, thus taking his opponent’s serve twice. At 4-1, if the latter then had an opportunity to fly away undoubtedly definitively in this round, it was the native of Béziers who knew how to react at the right time. Despite a few scares when serving, Gasquet managed to get out of it and rejoined at 4-4 then 5-5.
Gasquet’s revolt did not last
Unfortunately for him, after missing a ball to lead 6-5, the Frenchman cracked behind and therefore left the first set to Altmaier. Abused, the Biterrois then seemed completely transformed on the court and quickly led 3-0. But, again, Gasquet did not go the distance and gradually saw the German return to his height. Jostled, the latter then chained the games to go from 0-3 to 5-4 in his favor. Close to victory, the person then continued his momentum on the game of the 48th in the world. On the service of the latter, Altmaier initially obtained three match points that Gasquet was able to save. It was finally on the 5th opportunity to conclude that the German was finally able to raise his arms to heaven to celebrate his victory. In the next round, the 68th in the world could face Andrey Rublev, if the Russian beats before that Bernabé Zapata Miralles. For his part, Gasquet will soon take the direction of North America.
