This one, no one saw coming. We knew that Richard Gasquet’s right arm was still capable of surprising on occasion, but from there to using it to lift a 16th trophy, almost five years after the last, there was a margin. At 36, Biterrois became the oldest French winner in Auckland, New Zealand, by knocking out Cameron Norrie (4-6, 6-4, 6-4), who was playing at home. Unbeaten until 2023, robbing Rafael Nadal and Taylor Fritz in the process, the world number 12 ended up seeing the best of ‘Richie’. “In the third set, from 0-3, I didn’t miss a single shot, it was crazy”savor what will again be number ua France (in place 42), leadership ceded in 2016.
Dean of the first 10, at 29 years old
His female counterpart, she, is more of the type expected these days. After her messy end to the season, punctuated by a Masters title, Caroline Garcia (WTA No. 4) is shaping up to be an Australian Open contender. The first signs show that the Lyonnais, despite a stoppage in the fourth in Adelaide, has not lost its course in the off-season.
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Dean of the top 10, at 29 years old, knows that she is mature, well established in her game principles, calmer also off the court. Alizé Cornet (2nd round), Daria Kasatkina and Ons Jabeur stood out on their way. Which would then be synonymous with the semi-final, as in September at the US Open.
Source : Le JDD
