LATEST ACTION (all times GMT)
To get involved use 606 or text us your views & comments on 81111 . (Not all contributions can be used)
Murray 0-1 Gasquet
Gasquet holds his opening service game but not without a wobble. The French drops two points before serving out the game. 2009: The players have arrived to a rock star's welcome. There's a roar from the crowd and the music's pumping. It's all to play for in this crucial clash. Gasquet is renowned for his flair on court, but Murray has proved himself to be a stylish opponent when the mood takes him. 2008: Right then, let's see the tale of the tape. At 20, Murray is just one year younger than Gasquet and already has three career titles under his belt, two of which came this year - in San Jose and last Sunday in St Petersburg. Gasquet has won five career titles, but only one came this year - in Mumbai. The two players have only once gone head-to-head on the tour, the Frenchman beating his Scottish opponent in Toronto last year. Ok, here's a random fact for you: Gasquet appeared on the cover of French Tennis Magazine at the age of nine. 2000: Well, the showdown between Briton Andy Murray and Frenchman Richard Gasquet promises to be a tantalising clash, with more than just a place in the semi-final at stake. It's not so much 'winner-takes-all' but rather loser, er, loses everything as one qualification spot remains up for grabs in the season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai. Six of the eight places had already been taken at the start of the week, and Fernando Gonzalez sealed the seventh spot in the ATP Champions Race on Friday when Mikhail Youzhny was beaten by Rafael Nadal. In a nutshell, the winner of the Murray-Gasquet clash will take the final qualification place - unless Marcos Baghdatis wins the whole thing. Even if Baghdatis does win the tournament, Murray or Gasquet will deny him if they can reach the final. Frankly, the events at the Paris Masters have left weary journalists and fans scratching their heads at the various mathematical possibilities. For the full run-down of how it stands in the Masters race, check out the link on the BBC Sport website.
Gasquet holds his opening service game but not without a wobble. The French drops two points before serving out the game. 2009: The players have arrived to a rock star's welcome. There's a roar from the crowd and the music's pumping. It's all to play for in this crucial clash. Gasquet is renowned for his flair on court, but Murray has proved himself to be a stylish opponent when the mood takes him. 2008: Right then, let's see the tale of the tape. At 20, Murray is just one year younger than Gasquet and already has three career titles under his belt, two of which came this year - in San Jose and last Sunday in St Petersburg. Gasquet has won five career titles, but only one came this year - in Mumbai. The two players have only once gone head-to-head on the tour, the Frenchman beating his Scottish opponent in Toronto last year. Ok, here's a random fact for you: Gasquet appeared on the cover of French Tennis Magazine at the age of nine. 2000: Well, the showdown between Briton Andy Murray and Frenchman Richard Gasquet promises to be a tantalising clash, with more than just a place in the semi-final at stake. It's not so much 'winner-takes-all' but rather loser, er, loses everything as one qualification spot remains up for grabs in the season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai. Six of the eight places had already been taken at the start of the week, and Fernando Gonzalez sealed the seventh spot in the ATP Champions Race on Friday when Mikhail Youzhny was beaten by Rafael Nadal. In a nutshell, the winner of the Murray-Gasquet clash will take the final qualification place - unless Marcos Baghdatis wins the whole thing. Even if Baghdatis does win the tournament, Murray or Gasquet will deny him if they can reach the final. Frankly, the events at the Paris Masters have left weary journalists and fans scratching their heads at the various mathematical possibilities. For the full run-down of how it stands in the Masters race, check out the link on the BBC Sport website.
Mikhail Youzhny (314 points) was the latest causality in the Race, losing to hard-hitting Rafael Nadal 6-4 6-2 and ensuring Gonzalez can finish no lower than eighth place on 381 points. Tommy Robredo (353 points) also had his Shanghai hopes ended with defeat to Baghdatis. Told you it was complicated - now where's my slide-rule?
Source: BBC Sport
No comments:
Post a Comment