Richard Gasquet will end his notable career in four months at Roland Garros.The veteran is competing at this week's ATP 250 event in Montpellier, entering one of the last events in front of the home crowd. Richard faced his compatriot Adrian Mannarino in the first round.
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The more experienced Frenchman scored a rock-solid 6-3, 6-2 victory in an hour and 15 minutes. Thus, Richardnotched an ATP win in the 24th consecutive season, matching Roger Federer's ultimate record since the start of the ATP Tour in 1990!
More importantly, Gasquet, Federer and Jimmy Connors are the only players in the Open era who collected24 seasons with at least one ATP victory. Rafael Nadal stopped on 23 consecutive seasons with an ATP win, while Novak Djokovic and Gael Monfils stand on 22.
Gasquet is the former world no. 7 and a proud owner of 607 ATP victories! The veteran claimed 16 ATP titles and collected four year-end top-10 seasons. Richard cracked the top-200 at 16 in 2002 and found himself in the top-100 a year later.
The Frenchman struggled with injuries in the next couple of years. However, he embraced an extended streak in the top-100between April 2005 and January 2024. Gasquet gathered 14 ATP wins in 2023 before losing ground.
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He finished the previous season with only two ATP triumphs, his worst tally since 2003! Richard decided to end his career at the upcoming Roland Garros after competing at some of his favorite events for the last time.
Gasquet stopped the clock in Montpellier and earned a dominant win over Mannarino. Richard dominated with his first serve and claimed 26 of 28 points! He defended the second serve nicely and faced no break points.
Struggling Adrian felt the pressure and cracked under it. He hit only six service winners and landed 14 winners and 24 unforced errors, ending his campaign in the first round. Gasquet claimed 45% of the return points and provided three breaks from six chances.
Richard delivered five comfortable holds in the opening set. He broke in the fourth game after Mannarino's backhand error and held in the next one for 4-1. The three-time champion served for the set at 5-3 and wrapped up the first part of the duel with a booming forehand winner.
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Gasquet served even better in the second set. He broke Mannarino in the opening game after the rival's volley error. Adrian saved two break points in the fifth game and remained within one break deficit. However, Richard made another push on the return in game seven.
The more experienced player landed a backhand down the line winner in the seventh game, earning a break at love and serving for the win at 5-2. Gasquet landed a service winner in game eight, sealing the deal and securing an ATP win in the 24th consecutive season!
