Richard Gasquet is competing in Metz for the 12th and final time. The 38-year-old reached the final at the Moselle Open two decades ago at 18 and can still play well in front of the home crowd. The veteran faced Thiago Monteiro in the first round and prevailed 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 in two hours and 19 minutes. Richard saved a match point in the tie break, emerging at the top with a backhand down the line winner and generating his fourth ATP victory of the season, the first since Roland Garros. At 38 years and four months, Gasquet became the second-oldest winner of a match in Metz after Stan Wawrinka.
Thiago Monteiro & Richard Gasquet, Metz 2024© Stream screenshot
Richard dominates with his first serve
Gasquet delivers his third-best performance behind the first serve at this event, the most efficient one since 2011! The home player claimed five points more than the Brazilian, getting broken once and seizing one of three return opportunities. Richard had the upper hand in the shortest rallies up to four strokes. Thiago reduced the deficit in the most extended ones, although it was not enough to carry home over the top after missing that match point. Monteiro grabbed three straight games at 3-4 in the opening set before Gasquet responded in the closing stages of the second to force a decider. They stayed neck and neck, and the veteran clinched the final three points at 5-6 to seal the deal and fall to the ground.
Richard Gasquet, Metz 2024© Stream screenshot
Monteiro clinches the opening set with a late break
They needed 18 minutes to complete the opening six games, with no chances for the returners. Richard held after deuces in the seventh game and faced more issues on serve at 4-4. The Brazilian generated three break chances with a drop shot winner and converted the second with a forced error, opening a 5-4 lead. Thiago held at 15 in the tenth game, taking the opener in 36 minutes.
Gasquet responds in set number two
The veteran served well in the second set, delivering five comfortable holds and keeping the pressure on his opponent. Thiago denied a break point in the sixth game with a service winner and served to stay in the set at 4-5. Richard extended the game with a backhand winner and grabbed a break after a backhand error from a left-hander, taking the set 6-4 and introducing a decider.
Richard Gasquet, Metz 2024© Stream screenshot
Richard saves a match point and seals the deal in style
After seven fine holds on both sides, the Frenchman made a push on the return in the eighth game and drew the Brazilian’s mistake at the net for a break chance. Monteiro saved it with a forehand winner and held for more drama. The set went into a tie break, and Thiago sprayed a forehand error in the sixth point to fall 4-2 behind. He pulled the mini-break back at 3-5 and claimed two points on serve for 6-5 and a match point. Richard denied it with a forced error and earned a match point with a service winner. The Frenchman cracked a backhand down the line winner, sealing the deal in style and moving into the second round.
