Tue, Nov 09 10 04:37 AM
Richard Gasquet scraped past French compatriot Nicolas Mahut 7-5 4-6 7-6 to reach the second round of the Paris Masters on a good day for the local favourites on Monday.
The world number 28, bidding for a place in the French team for next month's Davis Cup final against Serbia in Belgrade, prevailed after almost 2-1/2 hours, winning the final set tiebreak 9-7.
Gasquet will face a much tougher test in the second round when he takes on world number two Roger Federer, who was granted a first-round bye.
Michael Llodra also made his case to France captain Guy Forget by thrashing Italian Potito Starace 6-4 6-1.
Arnaud Clement, who won his doubles match in France's 5-0 demolition of Argentina in the Davis Cup semi-final, overcame a barrage of aces to see off Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 6-7 7-6 6-3.
In an almost empty Bercy sports hall, Gasquet bagged the opening set as Mahut, who was beaten 70-68 in the fifth set by American John Isner in the longest ever tennis match at Wimbledon, netted a routine volley.
Mahut hit back in the second set but Gasquet saved his best for the deciding tiebreak, bagging a tough win as his opponent sent another volley into the net.
"It was tough and I am happy to be through," Gasquet said courtside. "I am quite relieved.
"Against Federer, I will have nothing to lose. He is the clear favourite. I hope to play a great match and have fun, it's the most important thing for me."
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