ANTWERP, October 22, 2016

Richard Gasquet and Diego Schwartzman will compete in Sunday’s final of the European Open in Antwerp. The third seed from France rallied back from a set down to overcome Kyle Edmund 3-6, 7-5, 6-2.

Richard Gasquet – photo: Philippe BUISSIN / IMAGELLAN

The British youngster, who beat Gasquet in the first round of the US Open, put a lot of pressure on his opponent from the baseline, broke serve in the sixth game to take the opening set in the ninth. Edmund also set the tone early in the second set, breaking serve in the first game but Gasquet came back with two consecutive breaks to take the match the distance.

The world number 19, who had a pretty smooth ride to reach the stage of the final four, having conceded only six games in each of his last two matches, took control of the encounter in the final set, breaking serve with a great backhand winner in the fourth game. Gasquet served out after two hours and four minutes.

“It was very difficult for me to play against him, as his game is very powerful,” Gasquet told afterwards. “I tried to fight as much as I could. He was leading 6-3, 4-2. So it was really tough for me. I am really happy to be in the final.”

Later the day, Diego Schwartzman caused the upset of the tournament in knocking out the top seed and local hero David Goffin 7-5, 2-6, 7-5. The two have met once in their career, with the Belgian taking the convincing win in a Davis Cup match. This time the 24-year-old Argentine had the better ending, winning three points less than his opponent but prevailed in two hours and 23 minutes.

“It was amazing for me,” said Schwartzman. “It’s my second time here in Belgium. The last time was in Davis Cup when David beat me last year. Today I played really well. It was a tough match.”

Gasquet and Schwartzman will meet for the first time. Both players are looking to capture their second tour title of the season. The Frenchman won in Montpellier, the South American triumphed in Istanbul.

In the doubles final, top seeded Frenchmen Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut will take on second favourites Daniel Nestor from Canada and Edouard Roger-Vasselin of France. Herbert and Mahut, who are the current leaders in the ATP Race to London, defeated Dominic Inglot from Great Britain and Brazilian Andre Sa 6-3, 6-2 in 57 minutes.

Highlights Day 6: