Richard Gasquet advanced to the quarter finals the Paris Bercy Masters 1000 when Kei Nishikori withdrew from the third-round match as he was trailing 6-7 (3-7) 1-4. Nishikori, who was treated by the physiotherapist at the changeover due to back problems, decided to call it a day one game later with a suspected nexk injury to avoid further risks just ten days before the ATP Finals in London.
In the first set Gasquet saved three break points at 1-1 and four more chances at 5-5. The first set went on serve until it came down to the tie-break. Gasquet reeled off four consecutive points from 3-3 to win the tie-break 7-3. Gasquet went up a double break in the second set in the third game for 2-1 and in the fifth game for 4-1 before Nishikori retired from the match.
Gasquet has extended his winning streak to 6-0 in his head-to-head matches against Nishikori. Gasquet had already beaten Nishikori in Paris Bercy in 2013 in the third round (6-3 6-2)
Gasquet is one match away from equalling his best result in Paris Bercy achieved in 2007 when he reached the semifinal.
“I am happy with my match today. I played a consistent match and I am now in the quarter finals in Bercy again”, said Gasquet
Gasquet will face Andy Murray who crushed David Goffin 6-1 6-0 in the first match of the Thursday programme in the Accorhotels Arena in Paris Bercy.
“Richard played very well on grass and was consistent during the whole year. He will play in front of his home crowd and this will help him. it’s always difficult to play against Gasquet”, said Murray of his next match against the French player
