PARIS, May 29, 2016
Richard Gasquet delighted the French crowd on Sunday evening with his fourth round win over Kei Nishikori on court Philippe Chatrier. The 29-year-old reached the stage of the final eight at Roland Garros for the very first time in his 13th attempt.
Gasquet set the tone right from the beginning, hitting 36 winners, producing only 19 unforced errors to secure a 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 in two hours and 34 minutes.
Et voilà Gasquet en quarts après sa victoire contre Nishikori 6-4 6-2 4-6 6-2 #RG16 https://t.co/PfgzFPRzFC
— Roland Garros (@rolandgarros) 29. Mai 2016
“I lost four or five times in the fourth round. This is very difficult, especially against Wawrinka a few years ago, I think I was leading two sets to love. So of course, it’s a great match for me to win against the number six in the world on central court in Paris. That’s great,” Gasquet was happy afterwards.
“The crowd is always important and it was like a Davis Cup match for me today. Very, very good for me. I want to play well. It’s always important to have the crowd cheering for you, as they did it on the court. It is making a big difference for me. And of course it will be the same next Tuesday.”
Gasquet will take on second seed Andy Murray, who recorded his sixth straight tour-level victory over John Isner, winning 7-6, 6-4, 6-3. The Scot took the opener 11-9 in the tie-break, saving one set point after 64 minutes. He dominated the rallies taking the second set with his first break in 10th game. Murray eventually served the match out after two hours and minutes, smashing his ninth ace.
Andy Murray est en quarts de finale après sa victoire contre Isner #RG16 https://t.co/j2NGM2PGKB
— Roland Garros (@rolandgarros) 29. Mai 2016
“Obviously the first set was key. I didn’t have any chances in the first set until the tiebreak. I was a bit lucky on the 6-5 point. He had a great serve; I guessed the right way on his approach shot. That point was very important, for sure. And then after that I was starting to create a lot more chances on the return games. Most games I felt like I was having opportunities and wasn’t giving him any chances on my serve. So that was positive,” Murray told after he moved ahead Fred Perry for the most Roland Garros quarterfinals reached by a British man with six.
About taking on Gasquet next he said:
“I’m pumped to be in the quarters of a slam. Obviously the atmosphere will be tough, but I don’t mind that. I played a number of times against French players here in difficult atmospheres and I managed okay. So I’m sure I’ll be fine on whatever day we play.”
