Richard Gasquet beat Feliciano Lopez yesterday in the round of 16 in Montpellier 67 64 62.
It must have felt like deja vu for both. Their first meeting was seventeen years earlier in 2003 in Marseille, with Gasquet winning that one 67 64 64. Gasquet was just 16 years old then, Lopez 21.
Over the span of 17 years on the ATP World Tour, Gasquet and Lopez have played a total of eight times now. Which is less than one might expect – Hewitt and Woodforde played four times in one year. Basilashvili and Fucsovics played FIVE times last year alone.
Gasquet and Lopez played their second match in 2005 in Cincy, the Frenchman won in three sets.
The third meeting was the Gstaad final in 2006, Gasquet won 76 67 63 63.
Meeting four was 2008 at Australian Open second round, Gasquet routed Lopez 62 61 63. Gasquet made the fourth round that year.
Match five would be the fifth win in a row on Lopez, it came at Sydney in 2010, the scoreline was 61 64.
Lopez would finally achieve his first and onl win vs Gasquet four years later in the Eastbourne final on grass. Lopez finally managed to barely solve the Gasquet puzzle in their first grass meeting by a score of 63 67 75.
Gasquet won the next match in 2017 in Vienna, 62 63.
Leading to the now 33 year old Gasquet’s seventh and latest win vs 38 year old Lopez this week in the Montpellier round of 16.
Both have achieved excellent careers in the ATP. Gasquet has won 15 singles titles, over $18 million in prize money and a Grand Slam mixed doubles title at Roland Garros. And a 538-320 record.
Lopez has won seven ATP titles, over $17 million and a Grand Slam doubles title also at Roland Garros. Lopez has a career record of 487-447.
Currently Lopez is ranked 55 and Gasquet is 58.
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Scoop Malinowski · February 8, 2020 at 8:47 am
Only eight times in 17 years these two have played. Garin beat Cuevas yesteray, fourth time they have played since last year, including three meetings last year, Garin has won all four. Gasquet needs to get fitter, he gets injured too much. Gasquet has missed 12 majors for one reason or another, Lopez has not missed one single major main draw in his entire career. Lopez is the Iron Man of tennis.
Harold · February 8, 2020 at 9:19 am
Are you still holding a spot in the HOF for Lopez because he managed to stay healthy and lose in the first or second of Slams 70 times?
Scoop Malinowski · February 8, 2020 at 9:57 am
Harold, yes his Iron Man record will never come close to being surpassed. That and a Roland Garros doubles major and Davis Cup win solidify him for Newport in my opinion.
Harold · February 8, 2020 at 11:11 am
Make an “ Iron Man Wing” of the Hall. His results don’t warrant entry.
Lets debate:
Isner- for the historic Wimby match?
Mahout – losing historic Wimby match. Won all doubles Majors, and DC
Herbert- won all four doubles Majors, and DC
Scoop Malinowski · February 8, 2020 at 11:19 am
Yes Isner and Mahut in HofF for that one match alone. Think about how long those two fought for just one match.
jg · February 8, 2020 at 3:48 pm
Off topic–but is admission free to the NY Open? I think it is.