Gasquet Still Hopeful for ATP World Tour Finals After Winning in Paris
Richard Gasquet kept alive his chances of qualifying for the 2013 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals for the first time since 2007 reaching the third round of the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris, France, defeating Fernando Verdasco 7-5, 6-7(6), 6-3 in two hours and 41 minutes. Gasquet could meet fellow London contender Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the 2008 Paris champion, in the third round. Tsonga plays Kei Nishikori, who has a 35-18 season record, during the Tuesday evening session.
Also victorious on Tuesday was Grigor Dimitrov, who will meet number 16 seed Fabio Fognini in the BNP Paribas Masters second round after he converted four of his 13 break point opportunities in a 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3 win over two-time former semifinalist Michael Llodra.
Pablo Andujar, a late replacement in Paris for the injured Gael Monfils, defeated Vasek Pospisil 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in two hours and 18 minutes to advance. Andujar moves on to face Barclays ATP World Tour Finals qualifier Tomas Berdych, the sixth seed and 2005 champion.
Michal Przysiezny struck 11 aces and won 38 of his 41 first service points to beat Jarkko Nieminen 6-3, 7-6(6), and will face the number 13-seeded John Isner in the second round. Nicolas Mahut also advanced to the second round for the fourth time, defeating Alexandr Dolgopolov 7-6(6), 6-1 in 80 minutes.
