Rafael Nadal
takes on the challenge of Richard Gasquet in the semi-finals. They have met ten
times before and Gasquet is yet to defeat Nadal. It is only the second time
that Gasquet has reached the semi-final of a G.S Major. However, in doing so,
he had to play two consecutive five setters in the last two matches.
If Nadal–Roger
Federer matchup has been called a mismatch, there is no reason why Nadal–Gasquet cannot be called a mismatch too. It is basically a heavy top spin
forehand of a left hander to a single fisted backhander. Gasquet possesses as
good a backhand as Federer does, but he does not return the serve as
consistently. His backhand cross courts though could be termed better than
Federer’s. However, he too would suffer badly if he were to play down the line
backhand on a high kicking ball. He is also not tall like Soderling or Rosol
who could take high ball from their comfort zone, at least on the ground
strokes. He plays from much behind the baseline as compared to Federer. This
could enable him to take the ball a bit lower in the comfort zone, but could also take him quite far out of the court. He does play attacking
shots and is successful against those who give up the point within two-three
attacking shots. Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic fall in a different category.
They control the baseline rallies much better and as the rally grows longer,
the ball is likely to die on the other side of the court. Gasquet has to keep
the point short, but he does not possess a killer forehand. His serves are
good, but not in the category of John Isner or Milos Raonic. His forays to the
net are not that frequent. Since he stays well behind the baseline, it is not difficult
for Nadal to pass him if he were to attack the net behind an approach shot. If
he were to play much above his normal level, it would be difficult to sustain
it for three consecutive sets.
Nadal is likely
to play his normal style. He will be more defensive and wait for errors from
Gasquet. If that strategy were to fail, he would be more aggressive sending
more shots to the backhand. If that plan too fails, he would come nearer the
baseline and trade shot for shot.
It is difficult
to see a Gasquet win, but if Nadal attains an unexpected low like Roger Federer
did against Tommy Robredo, the result could be otherwise.
