Youth has taken precedence over experience. For the second time in two confrontations, Arthur Fils won against Richard Gasquet in the 100% tricolor duel of the day in the 1st round of the Auckland tournament. Tuesday, the higher ranked of the two Frenchmen won in two sets (6-3, 6-4) in just over an hour (1h09 of play). A defeat with serious consequences for the Biterrois, title holder in New Zealand: he will leave the Top 100 next week for the first time in more than… 18 years (956 weeks).
To impose his law, Fils was content with a break in each set, at 3-2 in the first and 1-1 in the second. After having delighted the opposing service for the first time, he conceded his only break point of the game which he was able to put away. Thanks to 70% first balls (9 aces and 79% of points won behind), he remarkably protected himself on his engagements and knew how to exploit the opponent’s seconds when necessary. In the 2nd round, he will be favorite against the Portuguese Nuno Borges, 66th in the world.