MONACO – Veteran Richard Gasquet reached the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters, beating Matteo Arnald 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 on Sunday, making his final appearance in the tournament.
The 38-year-old Frenchman retired at the end of the season, and was given a wildcard entry in the clay court tournament he shot prominently 20 years ago, beating Roger Federer in the thrilling quarterfinals 20 years ago.
Gasquet then narrowly lost Rafael Nadal’s semi-finals and as one of the most technically talented players of his generation, he failed to fulfill his potential.
Armed with an exquisite one-handed backhand praised by tennis purists, Gasquet fought major players, including a 2-19 head-to-head record against Federer. He lost all 18 matches with Nadal and 13 of 14 matches against Novak Djokovic.
Gasquet granted 11 breakpoints to Arnaldi. However, the 39th place Italian only converted three times and dropped service five times as Gasquet targeted his second serve.
Monaco’s Valentin Vachelotte, the wildcard entry in 259, joined Gasquet in the second round, winning 6-2, 6-1 with Jean Leonard Struff.
It was Vacherot’s ninth career victory on the ATP tour that proved a better server. He didn’t face breakpoints, hit five aces and scored 85% of first service points.
Australia’s Jordan Thompson faced the official gazette of the massive Frenchman Giovanni Mpetosi later on Sunday.