[Pea]

Safin Stops Gasquet
Top seed Marat Safin needed to draw on all of his experience to overcome teenage French sensation Richard Gasquet 6-4, 7-6(5) to reach the second round of the Grand Prix de Tennis de Lyon.

Safin, who accepted a wild card into the tournament, fought off a spirited challenge from the 16-year-old in what was a repeat of their second round encounter earlier this year at the Tennis Masters Monte Carlo. On that occasion, Gasquet was playing in his first ATP event having become the youngest ever qualifier at a Tennis Masters Series tournament and had his first taste of the big time.

Six months later, Gasquet was showing just how far he has come after winning the French and US Open junior titles along with a Challenger title in Montauban and two Futures titles (Great Britain and Germany).

"Richard has improved his serve since the last time we played in Monte Carlo," said Safin of his young opponent. "The guy has great hands and he takes many risks from the baseline. He definitely has a great future ahead of him. I barely played in satellite events at his age and he is already beating established professional players.":angel:

Eat it roddick!

 

[Scotso]

Allez Richard

 

[phantom5]

i like Richard's game.

has he gone pro yet?

 

[TennisHack]

Richard! That's high praise from Marat

Yes, he officially stopped playing juniors after the US Open.

 

[phantom5]

thanks TennisHack.

he has the potential - the only thing he is lacking in at the moment might be some more height and some extra bulk.

 

[luvbadboys]

I am dying to see Richard play. I have heard and read so much but I have yet to actually see a match. Hopefully, he'll be at one of the 2 masters events coming up.

 

[TennisHack]

luvbadboys--I think there's talk that he'll get a wildcard into TMS Paris. I hope so!

 

[luvbadboys]

Thanks TH.

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

Allez Richard

Regarding his size - isnt' he already about 5'11? I remember checking his stats not too long ago, and for a 16 year old his hieght and weight were pretty close to Hewitts

 

[cheliste]

luvbadboys--I think there's talk that he'll get a wildcard into TMS Paris. I hope so!

If that pushes through, it's another good reason for me to stay glued on TV or live scoreboard, or whatever that would give me results fast!

Wildcard to Richard please!

 

[Marilyn]

You go Richard!

 

[spiceboy]

Of course he would have to get a WC in TMS Paris.

I saw him in Palermo and his game definetely doesn't look like a junior one (even though he was sick and playing an experienced spanish on clay and had to retire)

 

[Superhero]

He seems to have quite the potential.
I hope he does well and beats Andy always in tournaments, haha. I think he better be careful though, because he is risking burn-out at a later age. I have no clue why they would put him)coach, parents) on the pro tour at 16. He would do probably better if he stayed home training 2 hours a day and improving to his fullest, rather then going full out at 16 while his body is still developing a lot.

 

[Tryphon]

Next he should be playing the qualies in Basel.

 

[dbc]

From the little I have seen of him he has a great game. Also he seems to be mentally tougher than Marat.

 

[Ma. Estefania]

Richard has the same height of Hewitt.

 

[maratski]

I've never seen him play, but I guess he misses experience. I'm a member of his yahoo group and there's a girl there who speaks to him once and a while. There are a few Q&A's with him where he also talks a bit about this. Just can't come up with anything right now.