Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic will take on veteran Frenchman Richard Gasquet under the lights of Arthur Ashe stadium on Saturday night at the U.S. Open.
This is not a kind matchup for Gasquet. It’s not quite as bad as his 0-16 record against Rafael Nadal, but a lifetime record of 1-12 is not likely to fill the Frenchman with confidence for Saturday night’s contest. His only win over Djokovic came back in 2007 at the old Master’s Cup.
Djokovic’s game is one that is naturally troublesome for Gasquet. The Frenchman has a pretty but vulnerable one-handed backhand that is like open season for Djokovic. The Serb is usually able to bully Gasquet around the baseline and completely dictate play.
Djokovic’s confidence is riding high right now. The world No. 6 came from out of nowhere to win Wimbledon, then went on to take the title in Cincinnati, making him the only player in history to win every Masters event.
The former world No. 1 had difficulty earlier in the week with the hot temperatures in New York, but he will be playing at night on Saturday and conditions are already cooler now than they were earlier in the week. His path to the third round included wins over Marton Fuscovics and Tennys Sandgren and although he lost a set in each, Gasquet’s game is so familiar to him that losing even a set to the Frenchman would be a bit surprising.
Cheryl pick: Djokovic in 3
Ricky pick: Djokovic in 3
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who ya got?
Yep…Joker in an easy 3.
Watched the recording of this match. Gasquet was truly one dimensional, I mean he basically stayed at the baseline to rally with Djoko the whole match. He hardly came forward, only when chasing drop shots from Djoko, how did he think he could have a chance against Djoko playing like that? It’s no wonder Djoko won without much fuss.