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Richard Gasquet Is Making His Move
20 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Richard Gasquet looks like a different player now. Let me explain.
Last week in Davis Cup, Gasquet manhandled young tiger Nick Kyrgios, but more impressively, he was the star of the court in the doubles, leading Tsonga to beat the every feisty Hewitt and Guccione. At the end, it was Tsonga who lifted Gasquet up high, telling everyone inside the arena, this is your hero right here, Richard Gasquet.
Gasquet was not previously known for handling Davis Cup pressure well, reportedly pulling himself out of the tie vs. USA several years ago because of nerves.
His own countryman Gael Monfils told the media a couple of years ago at the US Open that Gasquet’s weakness is playing on the big stage and when an opponent shows fiery emotions it bothers Gasquet, who would prefer to play a passive quiet normal game of tennis than an emotional psychological war match.
This week, Gasquet is playing Montpellier. In th semi, Gasquet was down a break 5-6 in the first set but battled back for the break, then winning the first set tiebreaker against the dangerous Jerzy Janowicz. Gasquet is serving exceptionally well, also blasting return winners and of course his signature backhand passing shots which left the Polish Power’s head hanging.
Gasquet also won the second set tiebreak vs. Janowicz and will now meet his old pal and sometime rival Monfils in the final.
If Gasquet can prevail tomorrow against Monfils, the man who thinks he has the game and mental superiority advantage, I believe this will be more proof that Gasquet has taken his game to a new, higher level this year. And that Wawrinka’s conquest of Australia has inspired and sparked his own self belief, that, yes, Richard Gasquet is on the right path to win a Grand Slam major title in the very near future.
Gasquet and Monfils have some history
Scoop Malinowski · February 9, 2014 at 9:50 am
What a match so far. Gasquet kisses Monfils before they walk out on court. Monfils has a look on his face of almost pure hatred and fury. Definitely the far more intense of the two. Gasquet is his normal languid cool self. Monfils aura emotes that he wants this match much more than his friend. Manfils wins first set 6-4. It’s like he has it in his mind that he is the superior to Gasquet and knows exactly how to beat him. Mental edge clearly with La Monf.
Scoop Malinowski · February 9, 2014 at 10:38 am
Monfils wins 64 64. Gasquet deferred to the alpha male Monfils. There was no fire or fury from Gasquet, but a lot from Monfils. Weird disappointing match by Gasquet.
Dan markowitz · February 9, 2014 at 1:29 pm
But isn’t that what we expect by now from Gasquet?
Andrew Miller · February 9, 2014 at 5:06 pm
Monfils played well in Australian. Sometimes he looks like top 5 caliber. Other times, top 100. Other news:
CILIC BEATS HAAS. Let’s hear it for the drugs.
Challenger winners:
JOHNSON BEATS JAZIRI OF TUNISIA
KLAHN BEATS ITO. Becomes U.S. #3 and top 80 in world.
Andrew Miller · February 9, 2014 at 5:10 pm
And for Doogie: Thiem’s playing well. Thiem and Vesely should make their move this year.
Gaurang · February 9, 2014 at 5:38 pm
Andrew, as I wrote in the other thread, Klahn is not just top 80, he will be around #67, as per live tennis rankings. (http://live-tennis.eu)
Andrew Miller · February 9, 2014 at 10:47 pm
Gaurang, #67! Don’t want to read too much into everything. But I like it – Klahn’s winning inside and outside the U.S. (which I think shows comfort on any tennis court no matter where it is), plus some of the easy power he shows, might give him confidence going into the ATP tournaments. Dan said why be big on a player that is “3-9” on the pro level, and who to my eye struggles off the backhand wing. But I think it’s always ominous when a player starts finding his game.
Klahn’s gone from a 700+ ranking during the official start of his first year on tour (just after graduating college in 2012) to #67 in around 18 months. He began playing tennis at age 11. On the other hand, many other players have struggled the follow up on their breakthrough to the top 100 and seem to drop out as quickly as they dropped in. But to me Klahn’s under the radar strategy is excellent – no one expected him to be where he is (or to get there so quickly). He’s been given the label of “probable journeyman” – and not only by some tennis fans but some of the sport’s biggest tennis journalists.
I think just like Wawrinka’s march to the Australian trophy, Klahn’s going to be a very tough player and that he’s going to be on the main tour regularly, winning matches that he supposedly has no business winning. He keeps this up he should be direct entry into the year’s big tournaments.
loreley · February 10, 2014 at 2:34 am
Haas said that he was surprised that he came so far in Zagreb. He had still treatment for his shoulder right before DC. He played only the doubles. He wasn’t sure if he would be able to play Zagreb. Struggled in the Semis against Evans. So it wasn’t surprsing that he lost in straight sets against Cilic.
Cilic should still be banned.
Dan Markowitz · February 10, 2014 at 6:57 am
Isn’t it interesting that the two guys who went to college and had success, Klahn and SteveJo, are the guys having success now on tour while Harry, Kudla and to a lesser degree, Sock, are struggling. It’ll be interesting to see who does better, Jared Donaldson, who looks like he’ll skip college, or McKenzie McDonald, who’s at UCLA.
Scoop Malinowski · February 10, 2014 at 7:39 am
At the moment college looks like the proper route. Isner SJohnson and Klahn making their marks.
Abe Froman · February 10, 2014 at 10:52 am
love that gasquet 1-hander…..everyone says he’s got the talent, shots, etc…..but lacks most important factor which is a killer instinct (le animale LOL)…..it’s a bit optimistic to say he’ll win a GS but he’s definitely in the subset just below the current usual favorites. he and a few others are basically 2 miraculous wins in the second week to break through…..stan was in this group but moved on with some luck (a walk over round & rafa’s lower back). as much as i like stan’s game (esp. that 1-hander) – he’ll prlly be a 1-slam wonder.
Dan Markowitz · February 10, 2014 at 12:00 pm
Gasquet could never win a slam. His forehand and his serve aren’t good enough. He’s gotten fitter and more confident, but he doesn’t as Scoop says, project that “alpha male” dominance.
Abe Froman · February 10, 2014 at 1:06 pm
@ dan….yep – unfortunately, gas is a sissy coke junkie LOL
gustarhymes · February 10, 2014 at 7:56 pm
I have to agree with Dan about Gasquet’s FH, though serve is adequate. His forehand is not hit well on the run. It’s somewhat continentalish in its grip, and therefore doesn’t generate pace and spin.
Scoop, college is the best route? I doubt any college tennis player will ever win a GS in the men’s tour again. Li Na did it in the women’s, but not going to happen again. Stich was the last I believe.
Gusta
john · February 11, 2014 at 10:45 pm
didn’t see the gasquet-monfils match, but when I do watch gasquet, I see a guy with the ability to play an all court game who nonetheless usually ends up striking balls from 8-10 yrds behind the service line. His coach or someone needs to tell him to ‘get out of Melbourne’ (as Serena once said). His court positioning should be a lot closer to the baseline like Federer and he should not hesitate to attack the net. I will say that Richard is not the best mover on the court; he’s no Fed or Djoker or Murray etc., but I think he could take a look at how Simon plays … smooth as silk and glides effortlessly around the court redirecting the opposing player’s power till he has a short ball that he can attack. Simon moves effortlessly around the court, but is let down by his lack of power and net game. Richard has power and a better net game, but he starts so far behind the baseline, it’s hard for him to attack and and close on the net without getting passed.
Scoop Malinowski · February 11, 2014 at 11:09 pm
Good observation John. Pancho Segura said the same thing about Raonic, he starts his attack from too far back. Gasquet is pretty darn close to contending for a major, maybe your idea could be the missing link 🙂 I will ask coach Bruguera about this at the Sony Open. Welcome to the site John.
Bryan · February 15, 2014 at 10:17 pm
Agree, Gasquet is playing very well and starting to emerge. I don’t think he’s winning a major soon though. The big difference for Wawrinka is he’s got the power game. Gasquet’s one handed backhand is a beauty but I just don’t think he has the fire power to keep the big guns at bay for 5 sets.
Scoop Malinowski · February 16, 2014 at 7:45 am
Bryan; And Gasquet does not have the burning desire either, he seems content with his station, top ten, travels the globe, treated like a king. He doesn’t seem obsessed with being the best or to win something big. Stan shows that fire on occasion though he keeps it mostly internal.
Bryan · February 16, 2014 at 2:11 pm
Good point Scoop. Technical skills bring guys to the top 10 but they need something extra. IMO this is why Gulbis banked two tournaments last year and is on his way up despite his technical flaws. And Jerzy Janowicz has the passion, which got him his deep run at Wimbledon.
Gasquet just doesn’t have the passion. If it wasn’t for the aesthetics of admiring his 1H backhand I’d find him boring.
Scoop Malinowski · February 16, 2014 at 6:28 pm
Thanks Bryan. Technical skills aren’t enough, every player has them. Intangibles separate the special ones from the rest. Janowicz has an inferno of passion, we saw that at the Aus Open last year vs. Devvarman, HOW MANY TIMES.