Matching Report
Gasquet wins in final Metz appearance: 'That's where it all started'
Norrie, Herbert, Struff advance to ATP 250 indoor hard court
November 04, 2024
The Moselle Open
Richard Gasquet becomes the second oldest player in the history of the Metz tournament.
Written by Jerome Coombe
It appeared to be a full-circle moment for Richard Gasquet on Monday at the Moselle Open.
The 38-year-old, making his first of 33 ATP Tour finals in Metz, produced a thrilling comeback in the opening round against Thiago Monteiro to stay alive in his final campaign at the tournament. Gasquet saved a match point to win 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (6) and record his first tour-level victory since May.
“It is important for me to play here, the last time I play in Metz, so I want to do well,” said Gasquet, who has retired at the end of Roland Garros 2025. “It is a great honor for me. [to receive a wild card].
“I'm very happy with the way I played, the way I felt, so it's a big win for me. It all started here [in Metz]. That's where I reached my first ATP Tour final. I have good memories playing here, so I'm very happy with the way I played today.”
Toughness personified 👏@richardgasquet1 he completes a miraculous comeback, saving MP, past Monteiro in a three-set thriller 4-6 6-4 7-6(6)! @MoselleOpen | #MoselleOpen pic.twitter.com/tMVDRarI7l
– ATP Tour (@atptour) November 4, 2024
Gasquet, once ranked No. 7 in the PIF ATP Rankings, produced a clinical performance throughout the match. The wild card, however, was hit hard during the final set, where he won 19 of 20 points after his first serve, according to Infosys ATP Stats.
After improving to 16-10 in Metz, Gasquet will face #NextGenATP star Alex Michelsen in the second round.
Elsewhere, Cameron Norrie fought back from the brink of defeat to record his first win since July. The 29-year-old trailed by a break in the decider, but went deep with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Roberto Carballes Baena.
“I'm happy with the way I turned, it's nice to get a win after my injury,” said Norrie, who suffered a forearm injury that kept him out of the Olympics and North American skiing.
“He fought hard today, he is a great competitor. I managed to get a little lucky in the third set, and I had good support. It was great to cross the line at the end.”
Norrie, the second British singles player in the history of the Metz tournament (Andy Murray, 2007 & 2021), will next face third seed Grigor Dimitrov.
On a day of French success, lucky loser Pierre-Hugues Herbert held on to defeat sixth seed Pedro Martinez 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(4). The 33-year-old pair's victory in the Lexus ATP Head2Head series was their first win since reaching the semi-finals of Metz as a wild card in 2023.
Aiming to emulate that success, Herbert will fight Quentin Halys in the second round.
Seventh seed Jan-Lennard Struff kicked off his campaign with an inspired comeback win against Alexander Shevchenko. Germany trailed 3-0, but rallied to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, setting up a second round match with Corentin Moutet.
