He’ll have to conquer the world No1 in the semi-finals, though, because next up it’s Novak Djokovic. “He’ll be the favourite, everyone knows that,” says Gasquet, sweat still dripping. “But I just want to enjoy this win and then I’ll think about that.” And enjoy this win he should, he showed a strength of character there that few thought he possessed. Thanks for your company. It’s been a blast. Bye!
Wow.... What a match that was. Here's how @richardgasquet1 beat @stanwawrinka #Wimbledon http://t.co/Wl7JLicmx1 pic.twitter.com/TIOlncSPQz
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 8, 2015
Best men's match of event👏🏼 Well done to Richard & Stan. Gasquet remains perfect in Major QF's (3-0). Djokovic v Gasquet & Murray v Federer.
— Darren Cahill (@darren_cahill) July 8, 2015
Updated
Gasquet beats Wawrinka 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-4, 11-9
Wawrinka’s serving to stay in the match, I make it, for a sixth time. He gets off to an inauspicious start. 0-15. He dumps a backhand into the net, 0-30. And then misses his first serve. The second goes in, but Gasquet is pushing and probing in a lengthy exchange, putting Wawrinka on the backfoot with a looping forehand, and Wawrinka goes long! Three match points. Gasquet’s effort clips the tape and agonisingly – and slowly – falls back on to his side of the court. Wawrinka forcefully fends off the second match point. But there’s one more. And Wawrinka fires long on the backhand and Gasquet has won! It seems unfitting for this to end on a backhand error, but this is a huge moment for Gasquet. He’s a contender, suddenly it feels like it’s the mid-2000s again and he’s going to go on and conquer the tennis world!
Updated
Fifth set: *Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 9-10 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
Maybe I spoke too soon. Gasquet misses a gimme to slide 0-15 down. But the steel is back on the second and third points. 30-15. I like this new Gasquet. However, the Gasquet of old then rears his ugly head, with a loose backhand. 30-all. Wawrinka then waves his wand and conjures up a magical backhand pass to bring up break point. 30-40. Wawrinka knifes the return into the net! Deuce. They go backhand, to backhand, to wonderful backhand and Gasquet’s backhand >>>>>> Wawrinka’s and it’s advantage Gasquet! Game! Incroyable.
Fifth set: Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 9-9 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
The crowd are on their feet on the second point, these two are putting on some quite some show. Wawrinka has Gasquet absolutely hurtling into the net, Gasquet probably should have fired straight at Wawrinka to get his own back for the previous game, but it’s Wawrinka who wins the point. As he does the next. 40-0. A horrible mis-cue from Gasquet on the return and that’s the game. Unwavering from both players at the moment. And credit to Gasquet, I wasn’t sure he had this in him.
Fifth set: *Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 8-9 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
With Gasquet 30-0 ahead on serve, a desperate Wawrinka fires straight at Gasquet when the Frenchman is at the net. Gasps all round, but a legitimate play from the Swiss. 30-15. Gasquet is briefly floored, but recovers from the blow, and gets a little help from Wawrinka, who produces two backhand errors.
Fifth set: Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 8-8 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
Gasquet re-grips his racket, once again, in double quick time at the changeover and he’s dancing around on the baseline ready to receive. Wawrinka is thrown a little off course as he attempts to serve due to noise in the crowd. But no bother. He waits a moment before unleashing on the serve. 15-0. 30-0. 40-0. Game, as he punches a volley past a scrambling Gasquet’s forehand wing. The pressure is going back and forth so quickly at the moment given how comfortably they’re holding serve.
Fifth set: *Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 7-8 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
Gasquet served two double faults in the decisive game of the second set. Could history be repeating here? A fourth double of the match and Gasquet looks shaky. But he then looks sensational when he reads Wawrinka’s effort and flicks away the cross-court winner. Gasquet holds to 15.
Fifth set: Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 7-7 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
Wawrinka appears in control at 40-0. But he’s all at sea on the next point as he dumps a lazy shot into the net. But at least the scoreline has afforded him a bit of breathing space. Gasquet then throws in the error and Wawrinka holds.
Fifth set: Wawrinka *4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-7 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
There are no fifth-set tie-breaks at Wimbledon, of course, so we could be here for some time. But hopefully not to the 70-68 levels of John Isner and Nicolas Mahut’s 2010 marathon. Though I guess if it went that long at least the crowd would be able to get the tube back on Friday morning. But I digress. Gasquet holds to love and the courtside clock ticks past the three-hour mark.
Fifth set: Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-6 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
Wawrinka’s serving to stay in this match for a second time, and quickly takes the pressure off himself. 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game. Back to you, Gasquet ...
Sigh....backhand heaven....could we make it best of 7 sets?
— Jo Durie (@Jodurie) July 8, 2015
Fifth set: *Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 5-6 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
Wawrinka charges to 0-30. Gasquet comes back at him, 30-all. It’s easy to come up with boxing analogies in tennis, but they are like two heavyweights going at each other right now. A huge point this. Will it be game point Gasquet or break point Wawrinka? Game point Gasquet. Which becomes game Gasquet when Wawrinka goes high and wide! Wawrinka points to his head, Gasquet fist pumps frantically. The Court One crowd are loving this.
Fifth set: Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 5-5 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
Wawrinka showed in that previous game why he’s a double grand slam champion. It’s the sheer refusal to lose, the courage shown in adversity, the stubbornness in the face of defeat. Wawrinka is in charge at 40-15 here, he’s rocked back when Gasquet unleashes a cross-court forehand winner, but advances once more and some commanding play at the net sees him take the game. We’re back level.
Fifth set: *Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 4-5 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
So, Reechard, what have you got? Can you hold your nerve? The answer is possibly no when he slips 0-15 down, but undeterred, he gets to 30-15, before throwing in an error. On the backhand, of all shots. 30-all. A pulsating point follows, Wawrinka emerges victorious. What nerve. 30-40, break point. They start the point by exchanging backhands, then mixing things up a little before Gasquet nets! Another backhand error! Sacre bleu. We’re back on serve.
Updated
Fifth set: Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 3-5 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
Gasquet has a glimmer. 0-30. Which becomes three break points when Wawrinka nets! Wawrinka zooms into the net on the first, forcing Gasquet to hoik long. 15-40. A brave, booming serve down the T – Gasquet doesn’t have a chance of getting that back – 30-40. Wawrinka is in charge of the next point, he comes to the net and looks in control, but a slightly tentative volley allows Gasquet to come up with a forehand pass! Gasquet has broken the French Open champion and will serve for the match!
Fifth set: *Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 3-4 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
If Wawrinka were to win and face Djokovic in Friday’s semi-finals, that would of course be a repeat of last month’s French Open final which Wawrinka won. I wonder how Djokovic would feel about facing Wawrinka again? A wonderful point at 0-15 in this game, Gasquet showing quickness of mind and deftness of touch to level at 15-all and from there he holds, finishing off by flashing a forehand winner.
Fifth set: Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 3-3 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
The fifth-set victor will face Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals. The world No1 has completed a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win over the US Open champion, Marin Cilic. That means this is the only quarter-final not to be settled in straight sets. It always had the potential to go the distance. Wawrinka’s first serve sees him through to 15.
Fifth set: *Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 2-3 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
For much of this match, it’s been a case of either Wawrinka or Gasquet playing well, but rarely at the same time. It’s been all too fleeting. But this is really building to a climax, both are pushing and probing, as Gasquet nudges ahead in this deciding set once more.
Beautiful tennis on court 1 at the moment. A joy to watch both of these guys! #Wimbledon #Wawrinka #Gasquet
— Pat Cash (@TheRealPatCash) July 8, 2015
Updated
Fifth set: Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 2-2 Gasquet* (*denotes next server) A terrific approach shot from Gasquet sets up the point and here he is with a chance at 15-30 on Wawrinka’s serve. This time it’s Wawrinka’s turn to charge forward, he smashes away, Gasquet gets it back, but Wawrinka makes no mistake at the second attempt. 30-all. 40-30. Wawrinka aims a backhand cross-court, Gasquet responds with a screamer of a backhand down the line. Deuce. Wawrinka leaves Gaquet slipping and sliding on the grass on the next point, advantage Wawrinka. And then Gasquet comes up with another bullet of a backhand! Deuce. Advantage Wawrinka. Deuce, as Wawrinka snatches at a shot. Advantage Wawrinka. Ace, game Wawrinka.
Fifth set: *Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 1-2 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
“The battle of the backhands was simply glorious to watch in Gasquet’s first service game in the decider,” writes Abhay Phadnis. “On another note: Severin Luthi is sitting in Wawrinka’s box wearing a white jacket with the RF emblazoned on it. I can’t see Wawrinka being too happy about that!” Well, he is Federer’s coach, I suppose. But maybe he should be impartial watching a Wawrinka match, given he is the Swiss Davis Cup captain. I thought the Swiss were famed for their neutrality? Gasquet holds to 15, by the way.
Fifth set: Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 1-1 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
Wawrinka’s wobbling at 15-30, but he then has Gasquet on a piece of string, moving the Frenchman one way and the other and the other, and it’s 40-30. Ace, game.
Wow Stan Wawrinka doubles, going to 5 sets vs Gasquet. They played once at RG in 2013, Stan wins 8-6 in 5th. Richard 5 set records 9-13
— Matt Cronin (@TennisReporters) July 8, 2015
Here's how Richard Gasquet pounced to take his match into a fifth set #Wimbledon Watch: http://t.co/Wl7JLicmx1 pic.twitter.com/UaEYoDn3ui
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 8, 2015
Fifth set: *Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 0-1 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
That was a fairly flawless set from Gasquet, but can he carry that form into the fifth? He’s not exactly renowned for his resolve when it comes to closing matches out. And his fifth-set record is fairly poor, he’s just not as mentally and physically strong as the very top players. Gasquet manages to pull off a quite ridiculous half-volley from the baseline in one of the points of the match, but Wawrinka sees that and raises it with a winning volley at the net. Wawrinka has a break point at 30-40, he doesn’t convert, then at Gasquet’s advantage threads a wonder of a backhand pass down the line. Deuce. Advantage Gasquet. They go cross-court backhand to cross-court backhand – there aren’t many better sights in tennis, are there? – and Wawrinka prevails. Deuce. Advantage Gasquet. And from this game point, Gasquet is able to hold.
Updated
Gasquet wins the fourth set 6-4
Wawrinka is serving to stay in the set and, given the way he’s rattling though on serve at moment, it should be easy. Shouldn’t it? Oh. 0-15 becomes 15-30 when Gasquet pulls off a winning volley. Gasquet gets a chance on a second serve, but isn’t able to seize the initiative on the return, the pair are toing and froing, covering every blade of grass, and Wawrinka goes long! 15-40, two set points. And Wawrinka only goes and double faults! His first of the match! Echoes of the second set, which Wawrinka took courtesy of Gasquet’s double fault. These two are more than capable of the sublime, but there’s been some ridiculous mixed into this match too.
Fourth set: *Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-5 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
But Gasquet isn’t messing around on his serve either. 15-0. 30-0. 40-0. Game. You’d think this was Ivo Karlovic v John Isner the way they’re holding serve so comfortably.
Fourth set: Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-4 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
Wawrinka’s serving so well. So much for that sore shoulder early in the match. Bang-bang-bang-bang, it’s four games all. His ace count is up to 16.
Fourth set: *Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 3-4 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
Gasquet holds to 15 with only his third ace of the day. Court No1 is still packed, despite the tube strike now getting under way. Gasquet, meanwhile, a force of nature at the changeovers, manages to change the grip on his racket and is still pacing around ready to start the next game.
Fourth set: Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 3-3 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
Could this be a chance for Gasquet? 15-30 on Wawrinka’s serve. The pair chip and chop, and it’s Gasquet who slices himself open with the error. 30-all. Gasquet comes charging in off the back of his return, seemingly thinking he’s Tim Henman, and Wawrinka shows him the error of his ways. 40-30. Make that game.
Fourth set: *Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 2-3 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
These two aren’t hanging around, another hold to love. There have only been two points against serve in this set. The highlight here is a fantastic half-volley on the baseline from Gasquet followed by a winner down the line.
Fourth set: Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 2-2 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
The pair club a couple of forehands at each other before Gasquet blinks to concede the game. The Frenchman hopes Hawk-Eye will come to his rescue, but all it does it show he missed by no more than a blade of grass. Cue a bit of a Gallic shrug.
Fourth set: *Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 1-2 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
Move on, there’s very little to see here. Gasquet holds to 15, balancing out a double fault with an ace, which draws a little “allez”. Wawrinka is bidding to become only the fifth man to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year, by the way. The others? Federer, Nadal, Borg and Laver. Can you see Wawrinka doing it? For me, I’m not sure. He just doesn’t have the pedigree that Federer, Murray and Djokovic have on grass.
Fourth set: Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 1-1 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
Anything Gasquet can do, Wawrinka can do too, you know. 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game.
Here's how Stan Wawrinka went ahead for the first time on Court 1. #Wimbledon http://t.co/Wl7JLicmx1 pic.twitter.com/bDijA2RRl5
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 8, 2015
Fourth set: *Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 0-1 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
Wawrinka served much better in that third set, and is looking far more fluent from the back of the court. That said, Gasquet holds to love to get the first game on the board in this fourth set.
Wawrinka's hit 37 winners in three sets...
— Simon Cambers (@scambers73) July 8, 2015
Wawrinka wins the third set 6-3
Ace No11, 15-0. A piercing backhand down the line, deep into the corner, 30-0. An unreturned serve out wide, 40-0. Three set points. And a serve out wide followed by a forehand to t’other side settles the set. Straight out of the coaching manual, an emphatic way to serve it out. The real Stan Wawrinka seems to be standing up.
Third set: *Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 5-3 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
Gasquet must hold serve here to stay in the set, and he starts as he means to go on with a dominant first point. He then puts away a smash on the second. Not that he really smashed it, he didn’t need to, Wawrinka was running in the other direction. 30-0. 40-0. Then Gasquet’s backhand clips the tape and skips over, it’s enough to throw Wawrinka, who nets.
Updated
Third set: Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 5-2 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
A bit of tete-a-tete at the net and it’s the Frenchman who emerges victorious. 15-all. But on the next point Gasquet gets it all wrong at the net. 30-15. 40-15. Now it’s Wawrinka’s turn to get in on the serve-volley act, Gasquet is able to get a racket to the volley but can do no more than prod it out.
Third set: *Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 4-2 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
In the battle of the backhands, Wawrinka has made 12 unforced errors off that wing to Gasquet's 5 #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/gikbLGXuAU
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2015
Another telling stat, though, is that Wawrinka has fired off more winners. Gasquet stays in touch with a comfortable hold, but he’s still going to have to break if he’s to get anything back from this set.
Updated
Third set: Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 4-1 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
If Wawrinka can turn these flashes of brilliance into something more consistent, he’ll surely win this match comfortably. He’s been flickering like a faulty light bulb so far, on-off-on-off-on-off. It’s giving me a headache. And it’s a similar story in this game. Gasquet has a chance at 30-all. But a 10th ace from Wawrinka makes it 40-30. And Wawrinka takes the game with another service winner, Hawk-Eye confirming it was in but only by the tiniest of tiny margins.
Third set: *Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 3-1 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
At 15-all, the pair engage in a backhand-off, before mixing things up with a forehand or two, and then Wawrinka shows some lovely touch with an angled backhand volley. Wawrinka fist pumps, and he’s doing so again a few points later when he breaks to 15.
Third set: Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 2-1 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
Energised by a wonderful lob, Gasquet rips another one of those backhands away for a winner. 0-30. But a let-off for Wawrinka, who Gasquet allows to get back to 30-all. Wawrinka wallops a winner for 40-30, and Gasquet slams a forehand into the net to concede a game that had looked so promising for him a few points previously.
Third set: *Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 1-1 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
Deft touch from Gasquet as he digs a volley out from around his feet to forge 40-15 ahead, before holding. And here are the second-set stats for you:
Here's how Stan Wawrinka levelled the match one set all against Richard Gasquet #Wimbledon http://t.co/Wl7JLicmx1 pic.twitter.com/6xQUpTapfT
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 8, 2015
Third set: Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
This is a strange, strange match. One player is on, one player is off, the other player is on, the other player is off. Neither seem able to get it together at the same time. Gasquet appeared to have the momentum around 15 minutes ago having broken back in that second set, and now he finds himself hauled back to a set all. Wawrinka holds with ease, by the way, to love.
Wawrinka wins the second set 6-4
From 30-15, Gasquet attempts to unleash on the backhand but his effort down the line clips the tape. 30-all. And a first double fault of the day from either player hands Wawrinka a set point! What bad timing on Gasquet’s part. His timing and fluency is back on the set point, though, danger averted. But quickly the threat is back, Wawrinka’s advantage. Gasquet opts to serve and then rush to the net, and puts away a crisp volley. Deuce. But again, Wawrinka edges ahead. Will it be third time lucky? Yes, because Gasquet gets his serve all wrong and it’s a second double fault.
Second set: Wawrinka 4-6, 5-4 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
Ooh la la. Gasquet steps in on the return, takes the ball on the rise, and biffs a backhand winner down the line. It’s contradictory that such a thing of beauty is also so brutal. One of the finest rallies of the match then ensues, Wawrinka batters the sideline to within a millimetre of its life, and that gives him the hold. And on a completely different note, tomorrow’s order of play for the women’s semi-finals is out. It’s as expected:
Thursday Order Of Play (from 1pm UK time) #Wimbledon Muguruza v Radwanska Serena v Sharapova
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2015
Updated
Second set: *Wawrinka 4-6, 4-4 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
Wawrinka has Gasquet scampering around all over the shop on the second point, Gasquet is able to scramble back to pick up a lob, but cannot get the ball back into play. 15-all. A cute drop shot then leaves a stunned Wawrinka with his feet still firmly planted to the grass, the Swiss didn’t move one inch there. 30-15. And that’s the highlight of the game as Gasquet holds.
Second set: Wawrinka 4-6, 4-3 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
Great reactions from Wawrinka at the net bring up 30-0. The crowd liked that, they did. 40-0. Game. A love hold of his own. His shoulder probably hurts a little less now. But it does seem to be causing him more problems on the backhand side. And that, of course, is his biggest weapon. Will Gasquet now target that side?
Second set: *Wawrinka 4-6, 3-3 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
Is Wawrinka injured? He’s massaging his right shoulder, and twitching it awkwardly as Gasquet comes through in double quick time, 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game.
Second set: Wawrinka 4-6, 3-2 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
A fastest serve of the day, 135mph, but that fails to propel Wawrinka to a comfortable hold. Instead he chucks in two forehand errors and a backhand error for good measure and Gasquet breaks to 15. As messy a game as when Gasquet was broken earlier in the set.
Second set: *Wawrinka 4-6, 3-1 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
... and we’re already under way once more. 15-0. 30-0. 40-0. Game. Contrast Gasquet’s minimal ball-bouncing with Nadal or Djokovic’s tortured tics. This is taking place at a rate of knots ...
Second set: Wawrinka 4-6, 3-0 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
What a difference a few games make. Wawrinka skips back to his chair, having rounded off the game by pouncing on the short ball to dispatch the forehand winner. But Gasquet is out of his chair before the 90 seconds are over, as is his habit, he rarely takes the full time ...
Second set: *Wawrinka 4-6, 2-0 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
Having glanced at the stats, I look up, and suddenly it’s 15-40 on Gasquet’s serve, a couple of break points. Wawrinka misses the first, the pair duke it out on the second and eventually Gasquet goes long! A loose, loose game from Gasquet and he’ll be sick at the way he’s conceded the momentum. Holding serve after winning a set is so crucial in tennis, and he gave it up too easily.
Some first-set stats for your perusal:
Here's how Richard Gasquet won the first set against Stan Wawrinka #Wimbledon On @BBCTwo http://t.co/Wl7JLicmx1 pic.twitter.com/1cU6tUTuRh
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 8, 2015
Second set: Wawrinka 4-6, 1-0 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
That was the first set Wawrinka has lost at this year’s Wimbledon, and he’ll be sorely disappointed with the manner in which he lost it. He just hasn’t got going yet. But the world No4 shows signs of stirring into life in this opening game of the second set, with the quickest of quick games to love, including his fourth ace of the day.
Gasquet wins the first set 6-4
Now it’s up to Gasquet to serve this out. He can have problems holding his nerve, how will he fare? Gasquet is left reeling on the opening point as Wawrinka rips a cross-court backhand. 0-15, which soon turns into 0-30. Gasquet rattles off the next three points to set up a first set point. The Frenchman mixes things up by serve-volleying, a brave tactic, but one that doesn’t come off. Deuce. Advantage Gasquet. And Wawrinka goes well long with a backhand! Gasquet takes a slightly subdued opening set.
First set: Wawrinka 4-5 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
So ... Wawrinka serving to stay in the first set. What can he do? Hold to 30, courtesy of a delicate winner at the net and a error at the net from his opponent – despite an arrow of a winner down the line from Gasquet midway through the game.
First set: *Wawrinka 3-5 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
Stan isn’t the man right now. Another mistimed shot, 15-0. Gasquet’s first backhand winner – the first of many, I’m sure – and it’s 30-0. At 40-15, Gasquet skips to the net, picks up a half-volley, but there’s a little too much depth on it and Wawrinka is able to bash away the winner. 40-30. Gasquet holds with an impressive forehand winner. It’s not all about his backhand, you know.
First set: Wawrinka 3-4 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
For the first time in this quarter-final, the opening point of a game goes against the server. 0-15. Wawrinka’s forehand has yet to click into gear, and another error from that side gives Gasquet a glimmer at 0-30. On the next point, Gasquet almost stops playing, he thinks Wawrinka’s effort was long, and distracted, can only biff into the net. 15-30. Wawrinka comes back, getting to 30-all, 40-30, and I’m about to write game, but Wawrinka inexplicably sends what should have been a winning backhand long. This is hit and miss tennis from the French Open champion, who then finds himself break point down. And another weak shot hands Gasquet the break!
First set: *Wawrinka 3-3 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
A collective gasp follows the cheer as Gasquet makes a mess of his volley. 15-all. Which becomes 30-15. The Frenchman doesn’t hang around for long between points, which is strange considering he always wants to use the ball he’s just won the previous point with. 30-all. So he takes another ball this time. But that does the trick, too; he holds to 30.
First set: Wawrinka 3-2 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
From 30-15, Wawrinka unleashes with a backhand, seizes more initiative in the point with a probing inside-out forehand, but then undoes all of his good work by netting. 30-all. The longest rally of the match so far then unfolds, but it ends in disappointment for Gasquet with a weak shot long. 40-30. And from there Wawrinka holds. A big cheer rings around Court No1, but it’s not for these two players, Andy Murray’s three-set win over Vasek Pospisil has been announced. More here.
First set: *Wawrinka 2-2 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
15-0. Make that 30-0, as Wawrinka balloons a backhand long. Another backhand error on the return as Wawrinka chops a foot or so over the baseline. 40-0. Game. This match hasn’t really caught alight yet.
First set: Wawrinka 2-1 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
For all of the talk of their wonderful play from the baseline, these two are dominating on serve in the early stages. Another hold to 15, as Wawrinka rounds things off by wrong-footing his opponent. Smart play.
First set: *Wawrinka 1-1 Gasquet (*denotes next server)
I think the rain has now stopped. It’s not affecting Gasquet one jot, because the Frenchman quickly marches to 40-15 ahead. From there, Wawrinka opens up on the forehand, he darts his shot beyond Gasquet’s backhand wing, but it also flies beyond the baseline. Gasquet holds to 15 and both those games were completed in just under four minutes. No slow play here.
First set: Wawrinka 1-0 Gasquet* (*denotes next server)
Ladies and gentlemen, Mr Wawrinka will serve first. The Swiss wins a quick first point, before a return from Gasquet at full-stretch on the second point draws the error from Wawrinka. 15-all. A missed opportunity for Gasquet, he gets a glimpse down the line, but goes wide. And uh-oh, a rain drop or two. But they’re carrying on. At 40-15, some brilliance from Wawrinka, and our first proper glimpse of that phenomenal backhand, as he flicks a winning pass beyond Gasquet, who’s left swatting at thin air at the net.
You could say these two are kindred spirits. They’re compatriots in a way; Gasquet lives in Switzerland for financial reasons. They share French as their main language. They have two of the best one-handed backhands in the business. And their talent far outweighs any ego.
If both play near their best, this could be the pick of the quarter-finals, certainly from an aesthetic point of view.
Tik! Tok! Tikity! Tok! The players are out and warming up. After a couple of rain interruptions during Federer’s match, the weather is expected to hold from here on in. Though as I type that the cameras pan to an ominous-looking cloud.
Some pre-match formalities.
The head-to-head: Wawrinka and Gasquet have played each other twice before. Wawrinka won their more recent match at the 2013 French Open, while Gasquet’s victory was nine years ago. They’ve never met on grass.
Their route to the quarter-finals: Wawrinka has had it surprisingly easy, given this is only the second time he’s made it through to the last eight and grass is his least favourite surface. He’s the only man yet to drop a set. Gasquet, meanwhile, has conceded one, during his four-set win in the face of Nick Kyrgios’ anctics in the last 16.
To get you in the mood. Here’s Gasquet beating Rafa Nadal at a junior event in France when they were 13. That’s how good Gasquet was.
Preamble
Richard Gasquet could have been a contender. He should have been a contender. In 2002 the precocious talent, then the top-ranked junior having won the French and US Open boys’ titles, was tipped to conquer the tennis world. He’d already played a handful of matches on the main tour, and in the following few years became known as Baby Federer. He even defeated Federer at the Monte Carlo Masters in 2005, before reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2007.
However, it became obvious Gasquet’s ability was not matched by a similar physical and mental strength; his collapses from two sets to love up against Andy Murray in 2008 and 2010 being two cases in point. In the period between those matches, the Frenchman spent much of the 2009 season off tour after testing positive for cocaine. He cleared his name after saying he’d inadvertently ingested the drug while kissing a woman in a Miami nightclub. Gasquet had not become the best player in the world, as many had predicted, but he had one of the best explanations for failing a drug test.
Now aged 29, Gasquet is appearing in only his third grand slam quarter-final (he added to his 2007 Wimbledon semi-final at the 2013 US Open), and the odds of him winning a major – for all of the skill he still shows – are long.
However, Stan Wawrinka will tell him that good things can come to those who wait. A first-time grand slam champion at the age of 28 in Australia last year, and a second-time major winner at the French Open last month, Wawrinka’s transformation came about after a change in attitude, focus and work ethic. Perhaps Gasquet should take note, otherwise it may always be a case of plus ça change for one of tennis’ most unfulfilled talents.
The players will be on court: very shortly.
And that’s because: Roger Federer has just done what Roger Federer does, outclassing Gilles Simon in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5, 6-2.
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