Richard Gasquet drops big praise on Carlos Alcaraz following Umag final

Former world No. 7 Richard Gasquet admitted it was difficult for him to play against rising Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz in the Umag final. 

Gasqeut, seeded at No. 4, stood no chance against Alcaraz in the Umag final as the seventh-seeded Spaniard claimed a 6-2 6-2 win. 

Gasquet was seeking his 16th ATP title but it was Alcaraz who captured his maiden ATP title. 

"It was tough for me to play [with] full intensity. I had a tough match yesterday. It was tough, and especially with a guy like Carlos, who is playing really fast with a lot of energy and spin," Gasquet said, per the ATP website. "He’s playing unbelievable. He’s only 18 and of course he has a great future and I just couldn’t play at his level and his intensity. That was the key of the match and he didn’t lose a point. He played well, very solid. He’s a great player."

Alcaraz showed respect for Gasquet 

After winning his Umag semifinal clash, Alcaraz said of Gasquet: "I know Gasquet is a really good tennis player. He's played a lot of finals and won a lot of tournaments. This one is my first ATP final, I think he has a lot of experience. I have to handle the nerves and everything [well]."

Alcaraz made a good start to the match, having claimed the first break of the match in the third game to take a 2-1 lead. 

The Spaniard then earned his second break in the seventh game, before serving out for the opener a game later. 

After losing the first set, Gasquet served out the opening game of the second set. 

Then, Alcaraz went on a five-game run as he claimed back-to-back breaks and saved three break points in the sixth game to take a 5-1 lead. 

Gasquet ended Alcaraz's run in the seventh game but the Spaniard served out for the match in the eighth game. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3BLSi3N