Twenty-three years after debuting in Monte Carlo, Richard Gasquet is still capable of winning matches at one of his favorite tournaments. The 38-year-old received a wild card for the main draw, embracing his last Monte Carlo campaign before ending his career at Roland Garros.
Richard's first ATP win came in Monte Carlo in 2002, and the most recent one came against Matteo Arnaldi on Sunday in the first round. Gasquet ousted the younger opponent 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in two hours and 34 minutes after a massive battle.
The veteran provided three breaks in the opening set before Arnaldi responded with a fine performance in set number two. The more experienced rival kept his composure in the final stages of the match and sealed the deal with back-to-back breaks.
Richard collected 12 points more than his rival. They both struggled to find the first serve, and the Frenchman made the difference after missing it. The 38-year-old denied eight of 11 break points and provided fivereturn games from ten opportunities.
They stayed neck and neck in the shortest and most extended exchanges, and Gasquet outplayed his rival in the mid-range ones. The home favorite clinched a break in the first game of the duel, and the Italian pulled it back in the next one after a loose backhand from the other side.
The veteran secured another break in game five with a winner and delivered two fine holds for a 5-3 advantage. Stopping the clock, Richard placed a running forehand down the line winner in the ninth break, clinching another break and taking the opener 6-3 in 41 minutes.
Gasquet denied break points early in the second set. However, Matteo drew the opponent's mistake in the seventh game and secured a break that sent him 4-3 up. The Italian served for the set at 5-4 and landed a service winner to wrap up the set and force a decider after an hour and 36 minutes.
Richard denied three break points and many deuces at the beginning of the final set. They produced four consecutive holds at love and stayed neck and neck before the Frenchman welcomed the Italian's forehand error and grabbed a break that sent him 4-3 in front.
Gasquet served for the win in game nine and played a couple of loose shots. Arnaldi landed a backhand crosscourt winner on a break point to reduce the gap and extend the duel. However, Richard generated two match point on the return in game ten after Matteo's wild forehand.
The Italian hit a double fault on the second, propelling the veteran into the second round. Thus, Gasquet remains in contention for the Monte Carlo Masters win two decades after stunning Roger Federer on the same court!
Gasquet and Federer battled in the 2005 quarter-final and the Frenchman prevailed 6-7, 6-2, 7-6 after a thriller. Richard lost the opener before dominating sets two and three for a 6-2, 5-2 run! However, Roger denied a match point on the return at 3-5 and pulled the break back.
World no. 1 saved another match point on serve in game ten, locking the result at 5-5. Federer forged the advantage in the tie break and landed a volley winner for 6-5 and a match point.Gasquet denied it with a service winner before facing another at 6-7.
Roger squandered it but gained the third at 8-7. Gasquet saved it with a forced error and landed a forehand winner for his third match point. The Frenchman cracked a backhand down the line winner, celebrating a career-best victory and arranging the semi-final clash with Rafael Nadal.
