Richard Gasquet says it would be his pleasure to meet Marat Safin after so many years at the Monte Carlo Masters and just greet the 45-year-old and see how he is doing.
In case you missed it, Andrey Rublev announced that he and Marat Safin agreed to collaborate through at least the clay season. And since the world No. 9 is opening his clay swing in the Principality, their partnership also officially kicks off this week.
Although Gasquet is ranked at No. 164 in the world, he still made the Monte Carlo main draw after the tournament organizers came through with a wildcard.Â
23 years ago, the Frenchman made his debut in the Principality. That year, he exited Monte Carlo in the second round following a 6-4 6-1 defeat to Safin. And during Sunday’s press conference, the 38-year-old French player was asked if he remembered playing the Russian in his first Monte Carlo appearance and about his former rival becoming a coach.
Gasquet: Safin is a legend, I’m looking forward to seeing himÂ
“I haven’t seen him yet, but I know he’s here. He’s a legend of the game. I played against him in 2002. I will be so pleased to see him again, as a coach now. So I’m looking forward to see him and say hello to him,” the former world No. 7 said.
Meanwhile, Gasquet upset rising star Matteo Arnaldi 6-3 4-6 6-4 to set up a Monte Carlo second-round meeting against the winner of the match between Felix Auger-Aliassime and Daniel Altmaier.Â
“I’m happy I won, because it was a tight match. The third set was very tight. I was able to win it, and I was happy to do that in front of a big crowd on center court in Monte-Carlo with a wildcard. You always want to do well in that situation, and I’m very happy that I made it,” Gasquet said after beating Arnaldi.
