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Spanish, French 17 year olds on explosive collision course
Estoril, Apr 16: Nadal now faces France`s Richard Gasquet, another 17-year-old on the rise, who outlasted Chile`s second seed Nicolas Massu, 0-6, 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/4).
Estoril, Apr 16: Nadal now faces France's Richard Gasquet, another 17-year-old on the rise, who outlasted Chile's second seed Nicolas Massu, 0-6, 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/4).
"He's one of the strongest opponents in the draw," said the French player, who beat Massu for the second time this season after winning in Buenos Aires in February - also on clay.
"It will be a great match, I'm looking forward to it."
Gasquet said that sheer embarrassment drove him on after a dismal opening set.
"I didn't want to love love-love," he said. "But I started hitting better and getting the ball onto the court - suddenly everything changed."
The match, which ran to three hours, stretched to a concluding tie-breaker, with Gasquet holding on as Massu charged from 1-4 down in the decider.
But the French teen survived with a backhand winner for three match points and wrapped up victory when Massu produced a mis-hit to lose.
Bureau Report
"He's one of the strongest opponents in the draw," said the French player, who beat Massu for the second time this season after winning in Buenos Aires in February - also on clay.
"It will be a great match, I'm looking forward to it."
Gasquet said that sheer embarrassment drove him on after a dismal opening set.
"I didn't want to love love-love," he said. "But I started hitting better and getting the ball onto the court - suddenly everything changed."
The match, which ran to three hours, stretched to a concluding tie-breaker, with Gasquet holding on as Massu charged from 1-4 down in the decider.
But the French teen survived with a backhand winner for three match points and wrapped up victory when Massu produced a mis-hit to lose.
Bureau Report