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Roger Federer defeats Richard Gasquet to win Australian Open battle of the backhands

Roger Federer is yet to drop a set at this year's Australian Open - AP
Roger Federer is yet to drop a set at this year's Australian Open - AP

Roger Federer’s role as the leading statesman of the locker-room was highlighted once again, as he delivered consolation and advice to the tour’s fastest-rising star Alexander Zverev.

Zverev, the 20-year-old German who has climbed to No 4 in the world, had been devastated to lose to his near-contemporary Hyeon Chung in five sets, and thus continue a dreadful record at the majors. After 11 of these best-of-five set tournaments, he has yet to beat a top 50 player.

But as Zverev admitted in the interview room afterwards, he had received some words of reassurance from Federer – the one player he has always looked up to – in the aftermath of his defeat.

Federer later expanded on the conversation, saying “I just thought some nice words would maybe cheer him up, get him over the loss a few hours earlier. He looked crushed when I saw him. I gave him a tap on the shoulder and said, ‘C'mon, it's not too bad. It could be worse.’

“I said, ‘Be patient about it. Don't put yourself under unnecessary pressure. Learn from these mistakes. Whatever happened happened. Unfortunately you have to believe in the process you're in right now. You're working hard. You're doing the right things. It's maybe not paying off at the slam level, but just stay calm, don't dig yourself in a hole.”

A spectator takes a photo of Federer during the match - Credit: AFP
A spectator takes a photo of Federer during the match Credit: AFP

Federer’s intervention came before his own third-round match, which developed into an eye-catching duel of backhands with stylish Frenchman Richard Gasquet.

On a humid evening, Federer was made to sweat for what seemed the first time in the tournament, but still came through by a comfortable 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 scoreline. “We both played a good level,” he said, “so it was fun.”

While Federer was lighting up Rod Laver Arena, Novak Djokovic had to make do with Melbourne’s second-string stadium – Margaret Court Arena – for the second straight match. The scheduling didn’t seem to bother him too much, though, as he put in another textbook performance to dispose of Albert Ramos-Vinolas for the loss of just eight games: 6-2, 6-3, 6-3.

The only worry for Djokovic’s fans came when he called the trainer to the court, to work on what looked like a sore hip. “It's nothing major to be concerned about,” he said afterwards. “I’ve never faced a situation where I didn’t compete for six months. It's just things that surface every day.”

Djokovic needed treatment during his win over Ramos-Vinolas - Credit: AFP
Djokovic needed treatment during his win over Ramos-Vinolas Credit: AFP

Earlier, Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares were frustrated to have been eliminated from the men’s doubles by the Indian pairing of Leander Paes – who remains a force at the age of 44 – and Purav Raja. The Indians closed out a 7-6, 5-7, 7-6 victory after saving a match point in the third-set tie-break.

Afterwards, Murray and Soares, who are the doubles representatives on the ATP Player Council, were asked about the prize-money debate that has rumbled away in the background of this tournament.

“I think the players deserve a better percentage of the revenue,” said Murray. “I think seven per cent is not a lot of the share of the pie.

“Ultimately we can’t do anything. That’s why the players get frustrated with the whole grand slam situation because we don’t have a seat at the table. The players get well paid at the grand slams, of course, but that’s not really the point.”

12:06PM

Game, set and match! Federer defeats Gasquet  6-2, 7-5, 6-4 

Federer wants this done right here, punching away a volley for 0-30 and looking completely zoned in after a mixed couple of games. Gasquet though is not in the mood to fold, and he levels up at 30-30 with a crosscourt forehand winner. The Frenchman then has a point for 5-5 at 40-30, but Federer saves the game point with a heavy-topspin forehand. Federer then moves to match point with a trademark smash following an angled backhand crosscourt. Can Gasquet keep this match alive? Yes he can! A beautiful backhand winner up the line has us back at deuce. Gasquet then moves up to game point again, but Federer saves it with a sensational inside-in forehand return winner. Federer then earns a second match point with a backhand winner up the line of his own. And this time he takes it! Gasquet does well to put a volley into the corner, but Federer chases it down and flicks away another backhand winner up the line. After 1hr 59 min, Federer is through to the fourth round. 

11:57AM

Federer 6-2, 7-5, 5-4 Gasquet* (*next server)

Back to business for Federer as he holds to love. Gasquet will serve to stay in the match. 

11:55AM

Federer* 6-2, 7-5, 4-4 Gasquet (*next server)

Federer has snapped back to life this game, crunching a deep forehand return for 30-30. But Fed then misses his next two returns, and Gasquet holds. Three games in a row for the Frenchman. 

11:51AM

Federer 6-2, 7-5, 4-3 Gasquet* (*next server) - Gasquet breaks back

Well what have we here? Federer wastes a couple of game points, and all of a sudden Gasquet is up break point at advantage after nailing a beautiful backhand winner up the line. It's his first break point of the match. What does Federer do in response? Serves an ace down the T of course. But Fed then sprays a forehand well wide, and Gasquet has a second break point chance. And this time he takes it, as Federer nets a backhand! Federer's level has just dropped a bit in the last few minutes. He looks a bit frustrated at some of the flashy shots his opponent is producing. 

Federer is broken for only the second time this tournament. 

11:42AM

Federer* 6-2, 7-5, 4-2 Gasquet (*next server)

A brilliant Gasquet backhand half-volley is the highlight of a solid hold to 15. 

11:39AM

Federer 6-2, 7-5, 4-1 Gasquet* (*next server)

How's this for a stat? Federer has got 85 per cent of his first serves in. Unbelievable rhythm from the 19-time grand slam champion. He's taken to deuce for the first time in the match here, but hits a brilliant inside-in forehand winner to complete the hold. Federer is just two games away from the fourth round. 

Switzerland's Roger Federer hits a return against France's Richard Gasquet during their men's singles third round match on day six of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 20, 2018
Switzerland's Roger Federer hits a return against France's Richard Gasquet during their men's singles third round match on day six of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 20, 2018

11:35AM

Federer* 6-2, 7-5, 3-1 Gasquet (*next server)

Gasquet stops the run of games against him at five, sealing a hold to 15 with an ace down the T. 

11:31AM

Federer 6-2, 7-5, 3-0 Gasquet* (*next server)

A couple of Federer errors let Gasquet into the game at 30-30, but a huge serve and a clincial smash seal another hold. Five straight games for Federer. 

11:28AM

Federer* 6-2, 7-5, 2-0 Gasquet (*next server) - Federer breaks

A double fault hands Federer what feels like two virtual match points at 15-40. Fed takes the first one with a clever drop shot. The fourth round is in sight for the reigning Australian Open champion. 

11:24AM

Federer 6-2, 7-5, 1-0 Gasquet* (*next server)

You'd expect Federer to put his foot on the gas from here and go haring after the finish line, even though Gasquet is battling manfully. Fed holds to 15 to kick off the third set.  

Switzerland's Roger Federer hits a return during their men's singles third round match against France's Richard Gasquet on day six of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 20, 2018
Switzerland's Roger Federer hits a return during their men's singles third round match against France's Richard Gasquet on day six of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 20, 2018

11:19AM

Federer* 6-2, 7-5 Gasquet (*next server) - Game and second set Federer

Danger signs for Gasquet here. A brilliant forehand return winner on the stretch takes Federer to within two points of the first set at 15-30. And he gets to within one point after a screaming backhand pass down the line takes Federer to 30-40. Gasquet sprays a backhand long, and it's second set Federer! 

In typical style, Federer steps it up when he needs to, and establishes a two-set lead with his first break point of the set. 

11:13AM

Federer 6-2, 6-5 Gasquet* (*next server)

First "come on!" of the day from Federer, after he flicks away another sensational backhand winner crosscourt for 40-0. He eventually holds to 30, and Gasquet will serve to stay in the set for a second time

11:10AM

Federer* 6-2, 5-5 Gasquet (*next server)

Impressive serving again from Gasquet, who's playing really well today. He holds to 15, and we remain on serve in the first set. 

11:07AM

Federer 6-2, 5-4 Gasquet* (*next server)

Federer is annoyed with himself when he misses a backhand for 30-15, so he quickly corrects things with a second serve ace. Gasquet then sends a backhand wide - game Federer. 

Gasquet will serve to stay in the second set. 

11:05AM

Federer* 6-2, 4-4 Gasquet (*next server)

Gasquet does well to shrug that disappointment aside and hold to 30. It gets a little tense after Federer reels him back from 40-0 to 40-30, but a forehand winner up the line wraps up the game. No break points for either player this set. 

11:01AM

Federer 6-2, 4-3 Gasquet* (*next server)

That's arguably the backhand of the match, and it comes from Gasquet. He hits it from the forehand corner so it's technically an inside-out forehand, and it flies beyond Federer for 30-30. There's then a crazy moment as Gasquet challenges a Federer serve but is told Hawk-eye is not working. Gasquet is furious. The serve is called as an ace, and after Gasquet misses his return on the next point, it's game Federer. That's tough on the Frenchman - the serve may well have been in, but it's maddening not knowing. 

10:57AM

Federer* 6-2, 3-3 Gasquet (*next server)

Excellent resolve from Gasquet. He's down 15-30 but lands two excellent serves and then knifes away a volley to hold to 30. 

10:52AM

Federer 6-2, 3-2 Gasquet* (*next server)

No let up from Federer. He misses a couple of forehands in the game, but clever variety on the serve helps him to a hold to 30 - secured with an elegant drop volley. 

10:49AM

Federer* 6-2, 2-2 Gasquet (*next server)

Credit Gasquet, he's continuing to chip away at this. An ace down the T secures a hold to 15.  

10:45AM

Federer 6-2, 2-1 Gasquet* (*next server)

A double fault and a missed Federer volley give Gasquet a glimmer of a break at 30-30. But sure enough Fed then slams the door shut with a masterful drop shot and a service winner. Hard to see what Gasquet can do to stem the tide here - he just doesn't have the weapons to really hurt Federer. 

Roger Federer of Switzerland in his third round match against Richard Gasquet of France on day six of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 20, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia - Credit: Getty Images
Credit: Getty Images

10:41AM

Federer* 6-2, 1-1 Gasquet (*next server)

A few charitable errors from Federer help Gasquet to a hold to 15. 

10:38AM

Federer 6-2, 1-0 Gasquet* (*next server)

By winning that set, Federer has now won the last 20 sets that these two have played against each other. And a hold to 30 here maintains Fed's momentum at the start of the second. 

10:35AM

Federer* 6-2 Gasquet (*next server) - Game and first set Federer

Wow, Federer storms to 0-30 with a gorgeous backhand winner up the line. The low camera at Melbourne Park caught Federer's perfect technique beautifully. Federer then hits a replica backhand winner on the next point to open up three set points at 0-40. Federer seems to be relishing the challenge of proving that his backhand is the fairest of them all. Gasquet saves the first set point, but he double faults on the second to gift his opponent the first set. 

Federer a set to the good after 27 minutes.  

10:30AM

Federer 5-2 Gasquet* (*next server)

Lovely stuff again from both men this game, with Gasquet more than playing his part. He produces arguably the shot of the match so far with a no-look flicked forehand pass after chasing down a drop volley. Federer continues to motor on though, and he holds with an ace out wide. 

Gasquet will serve to keep this entertaining first set alive. 

10:27AM

Federer* 4-2 Gasquet (*next server)

Excellent service game from Gasquet as he holds to 15 with a service winner.  Gasquet has got 84 per cent of his first serves in so far. 

10:22AM

Federer 4-1 Gasquet* (*next server)

Gasquet is actually playing really well here, and he produces a sumptuous backhand crosscourt pass for 15-30. Federer though has just been a little too good, reeling off the next three points to hold to 30. Fun match so far. 

AFP - Credit: Switzerland's Roger Federer hits a return against France's Richard Gasquet during their men's singles third round match on day six of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 20, 2018
Credit: Switzerland's Roger Federer hits a return against France's Richard Gasquet during their men's singles third round match on day six of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 20, 2018

10:19AM

Federer* 3-1 Gasquet (*next server) - Federer breaks

Gasquet produces the first breathtaking single-handed backhand of the match, finding a crazily acute angle that spins so far wide that Federer is forced to hit his next shot outside of the tramlines. It makes the score 15-15, and though Gasquet then moves to 30-15, Federer comes up with a brilliant backhand of his own followed by a forehand winner to move up to 30-40 and break point. Gasquet saves it with the lesser-spotted backhand drive volley, but Federer forces another one moments later and takes this one with an inside-in forehand return winner. Genius. 

10:12AM

Federer 2-1 Gasquet* (*next server)

A couple more errors from Federer this game, but he does enough to hold to 30. Gasquet trying to be positive with his returns when he can get a racket to the ball. 

10:09AM

Federer* 1-1 Gasquet (*next server)

A few loose shots from Federer help Gasquet to a love hold of his own. 

10:08AM

Federer 1-0 Gasquet* (*next server)

Federer kicks things off with a love hold. Expect a few more of these today. The game lasted just over a minute. 

10:05AM

Ready? Play

Federer serving first. 

10:02AM

Players are out

They're knocking up, and this exhibition match will be underway soon. 

9:48AM

Next up

Angelique Kerber has just thumped Maria Sharapova 6-1, 6-3 in 64 minutes. Roger Federer and Richard Gasquet are next on the Rod Laver Arena. 

7:19AM

Preamble

Morning everyone, 

Welcome to the battle of the single-handed backhands, as 19-time grand slam champion Roger Federer takes on the 29th seed and former world No 7 Richard Gasquet. 

It's difficult to believe it now but when Gasquet stormed onto the ATP Tour as a teenager more than a decade ago, there was widespread belief that he was Federer's heir apparent. The beautiful shotmaking - especially that picture-book single-handed backhand - marked Gasquet out as a special talent, and he actually beat Federer the first time they met, in a three-set thriller in Monte Carlo. Gasquet was just 18 years old at the time, and had the look of a star in the making. 

Since then though, Gasquet has never quite kicked on, failing to reach a grand slam final and developing a reputation as a bit of a choker. His record against Federer has headed similarly south, with the Frenchman winning just one of the subsequent 17 meetings between the two since that Monte Carlo success.

The problem Gasquet has when he plays Federer is that while they have similar styles, Federer just does everything that bit better. It's hard to really see where Gasquet can hurt his opponent today, especially given Federer has won the last 19 sets the two have played against one another. 

 Richard Gasquet  - Credit: AP
Richard Gasquet is known for his elegant single-handed backhand Credit: AP

At the very least though, we should be in for a enjoyable exhibition of the dying art of single-handed backhands. After his second-round win on Thursday against Jan-Lennard Struff, Federer himself said he was looking forward to exchanging backhands with the similarly elegant Gasquet. 

"I love playing against one-handed guys because we need to keep it alive for as long as possible," Federer said. "I don't think I'll be teaching my kids to play like that."

So enjoy these beautiful strokes while you can seems to be the message. Hopefully we'll be in for an entertaining match, but I'm expecting Federer to come through easily in straight sets.