There was plenty of entertaining action at the ATP Rotterdam and ATP Buenos Aires Opens on Monday. Here is a look at three stories that you might have missed from the ATP Tour:
Three Stories From the ATP Tour on Monday 13th
Richard Gasquet continues good 2023 form
You would have been forgiven if you believed that Richard Gasquet’s best days tennis were behind him. Well, they almost certainly are behind him, but he is playing very well at the moment. His win against Pablo Carreno Busta, twice a US Open semifinalist, was particularly impressive for a couple of reasons. Not only did he display, in flashes, the sort of spellbinding tennis he has always been capable of at his best, but he also showed impressive grit and determination to battle back when behind the count.
Just a couple of months ago, he was outlasted by Marcos Giron in Adelaide. That day it was clear that he simply ran out of steam and the end had rarely looked closer for the mercurical Frenchman. Considering his age and previous injury problems, it was hard to see much success in his future. A week later, he was champion in Auckland, outlasting the ultra-fit Cameron Norrie in three sets in the final.
Gasquet is no longer in his pomp, but he does still have the competitive fire that has taken to three Major semifinals, a career-high ranking of world #7 and a remarkable 593 ATP Tour wins. On the subject of champions raging against the dying of the light (with picture perfect one-handed backhands), he next faces Stan Wawrinka. That match promises to be well-worth watching.
What’s Gone Wrong For Aslan Karatsev?
What has happened to Aslan Karatsev? A year ago today he was ranked world #14, still riding high after his memorable run to the Australian Open a semifinals in 2021. On current form, he is a poor excuse for a top 100 player. Dimitrov toyed with him in their match in Rotterdam with the Russian looking a long way off the pace. He won only half of his service games and only hit a single ace the whole match.
He hasn’t won a match at ATP 500-level or above since October is on a fast-track ticket out of the top 100. It isn’t just that he has been playing poorly, he has been entirely unrecognisable. Players, especially big-hitters, can go through lean patches, but something more terminal looks to be at work in Karatsev. He could look to Sebastian Baez, who recently won in Cordoba after a dreadful run of results, but don’t hold your breath for a Karatsev revival.
Is it time for Fabio Fognini to call it quits?
Why is he still playing? Of course, every player has the right to call it a day in their own time, but it does seem a bit pointless. Even at the peak of his power, when he reached a career-high ranking of world #9, it always seemed like he had gears to go through. His casual style looks incredible when it comes off, but when it doesn’t, it can be a difficult watch. Especially at this late stage in his career. Not unlike Benoit Paire, you have to wonder what the point is in continuing to play and lose early at lower-level events.
Main photo credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
