Frenchman Richard Gasquet continues to do all the right things as he booked his place in the quarterfinals at the Brisbane International today.
Gasquet extinguished West Australian qualifier Matt Ebden’s hopes of a fairytale ATP debut when he defeated him in straight sets, 6-3 6-4 in just under 80 minutes.
Despite the humid conditions, Gasquet’s class shone through on an otherwise overcast day.
Gasquet said he was happy with the win, but felt he has some room for improvement going into his next match.
“I played better in the first round, but this match is not the same, it is not centre court, it is not the same player – he has nothing to lose,” said Gasquet.
“I had everything to lose against him today, he’s a great player [he] serves well and moves well.”
Gasquet said he was looking forward to not being the favourite in his next match – a quarterfinal appointment with No.1 seed Andy Roddick.
“I have a lot of respect for him, because he’s in the top 10 since a lot of times. He’s one of the best players in the world, so I have nothing at all to lose.”
Gasquet said his plan is to enjoy Friday’s match as much as possible and try to return the best he can against the man who is “the best server in the world”.
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View the full order of play and draws
Men Round 2
8-Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) d Harel Levy (ISR) 6-4 4-6 6-4
1-Andy Roddick (USA) d Carsten Ball (AUS) 7-6(0) 6-3
Richard Gasquet (FRA) d Matthew Ebden (AUS) 6-3 6-4
Wayne Odesnik (USA) d Alejandro Falla (COL) 6-7(8) 6-2 6-1
2-Radek Stepanek (CZE) d Oleksandr Dolgopolov Jr. (UKR) 5-7 7-6(4) 6-2
James Blake (USA) d Marc Gicquel (FRA) 6-3 3-6 7-6(8)
Women Round 2
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) d Roberta Vinci (ITA) 1-6 6-4 6-1
Lucie Safarova (CZE) d 6-Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) 6-3 6-1
4-Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d Agnes Szavay (HUN) 6-3 6-1