2013 U.S. Open Semifinals Preview: Can Gasquet Upset Nadal?
Eighth seed Richard Gasquet pulled off the upset over fourth seed David Ferrer from Spain in a thrilling 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3 victory to advance to the semifinal round of the 2013 U.S. Open.
To get to the championship round, the Frenchman needs to deliver another upset win and beat another Spaniard in Rafael Nadal, who beat compatriot Tommy Robredo, 6-0, 6-2, 6-2 in his own quarterfinal match.
The semifinals showdown is going to be a difficult task for Gasquet, who has not beaten Nadal in 10 matches dating back to their first meeting in 2004.
Head-to-Head Record (Last 5 matches):
2011 Spain vs. France WG SF Round-robin - Nadal def. Gasquet, 6-3, 6-0, 6-1
2011 ATP World Tour Masters (Italy) Semifinals - Nadal def. Gasquet, 7-5, 6-1
2011 ATP World Tour Masters (Monaco) Round of 16 - Nadal def. Gasquet, 6-2, 6-4
2009 U.S. Open (New York) First Round, Nadal def. Gasquet, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3
2008 ATP Masters Series (Spain) Round of 16, Nadal def. Gasquet, 6-4, 6-2
However, the semis appearance is a first and a personal-best for the 27-year-old. Before this U.S. Open, Gasquet has never gone past the fourth round, playing in 36 Grand Slam tournaments, eight of which were in Flushing Meadows.
While Nadal has been dominant against Gasquet, the same can be said of Nadal’s performance in the U.S. Open thus far. In five matches leading up to the semis, the 2010 U.S. Open champion has only lost one set in the entire tournament.