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Gasquet hoping to finally end 15-match losing streak against Nadal
PARIS, June 1, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – French favourite Richard Gasquet says he
has to “find the solutions” to finally beat old junior rival Rafael Nadal at
Roland Garros on Saturday after losing all 15 of their Tour-level matches.
Gasquet’s miserable head-to-head record against his childhood friend has
shown no signs of improving in recent years — the world number 32 has not
taken a set off the Spaniard since 2008.
The 27th seed insisted he doesn’t respect Nadal too much on court, though,
pointing out that he’s not the first man to struggle against the 10-time
French Open champion.
“It’s not a question of respect. When I’m on the court, I lose. That’s it.
I do my best every time,” he said.
“Once or twice there was maybe a kind of respect, but I tried every time.”
The pair will meet for a 16th time with Gasquet looking to end Nadal’s bid
for an 11th French Open title in the third round.
“It’s up to me to find the solutions. Once in Basel we had a very tight
match. I found a way,” said Gasquet after his 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 6-0 second-round
victory over Malek Jaziri.
“I’m not going to think about it throughout the day and think he’s an
incredible player; we all know it. I’ll try to play a good match.”
Back when the two broke through in 2005, Nadal and Gasquet were considered
among the best young players in the game, but while Nadal has gone on to win
16 Grand Slam titles, Gasquet has never reached a major final.
“I didn’t think he would win (the French Open) 10 times, but I knew he
would win five or six,” he added.
“I have known him for a long time. I have known him since he and I were
young. I appreciate him a lot.”
Nadal thrashed Argentinian Guido Pella 6-2, 6-1, 6-1 to reach the last 32,
and his part of the draw has opened up after early exits for 24th seed Denis
Shapovalov and the 14th-seeded Jack Sock.
But for now he will be focused on facing Gasquet at Roland Garros for the
first time since a straight-sets victory at the same third-round stage 13
years ago.
“He is one of the guys on the tour that creates good atmosphere. He always
has a positive attitude. Not creating no one problem and being a normal
person,” said Nadal.
“It will be a good match against a good friend in the most important place
in my career, and for him a very special place, too.” BSS/AFP/RY/1618 hrs
BSS/AFP/RY/1615 hrs