The world number 10 claimed his third title at the Open Sud de France, defeating fellow Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu 7-5 6-4
The pair met once already in the Open Sud de France just two years ago, Gasquet coming out on top in straight sets. However, after a roller coaster semi-final against big serving German Dustin Brown, and Paul-Henri Mathieu’s solid performance over the course of this week, this was bound to be a more contested affair, despite the 83 places that separate the two in the rankings.
Mathieu got off to a strong start, solid on serve and aggressive on return to break early and go up 3-0 in the first set. However, Gasquet was quicker to react today than he was last night and managed to get back on level terms.
Yet a consistently offensive Mathieu put his nose in front yet again in the first set and a double fault at break point by Gasquet on the 8th game gifted Mathieu the chance to serve for the set, but yet again, the 2-time champion was quick to react breaking him straight back, this time to love. Aided by his soaring backhand weapon and clinical at the net, Gasquet broke consecutively and clinched the first set 7-5.
It was all Gasquet from then on, who showed why he is the world number 10 on the key points throughout the rest of the match, breaking early on in the first game. From then on, he was merely troubled on serve, aggressive from the back of the court and with perfect counter attack to his opponent’s game proved all too much for Mathieu and claimed his 13th career title winning 7-5 6-4.
