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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Gasquet, Djokovic in Rogers Cup final today
Nathan Denette / the canadian press Janko Tipsarevic serves against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during semifinal Rogers Cup action on Saturday. (CP)
TORONTO -- Richard Gasquet has advanced to the final of the Rogers Cup men's tennis tournament.
The No. 14 seed from France eliminated eighth-seeded American John Isner 7-6 (3), 6-3 on Saturday in one hour 20 minutes under cloudy skies at centre court.
Gasquet, ranked 21st in the world, will play defending champion Novak Djokovic in the final. Djokovic defeated Janko Tipsarevic 6-4, 6-1 in an all-Serbian semifinal. It's Gasquet's first trip to a Masters 1000 final in six years. In 2006, also in Toronto, Gasquet lost to Roger Federer.
The 26-year-old handled Isner's imposing serve well, drawing the 6-9 American into a game of baseline rallies. He also served with precision, winning 90 per cent of first serve points in the first set, and finishing the match with four aces.
"It's a difficult player but the key to the match was to return well and I did it," said Gasquet. "I try to return all the time and make him play."
He blazed a backhand by Isner to lead 4-2 in the tiebreaker and smashed an overhead shot to close out the set and deflate Isner, who played two matches on Friday night because of rain delays. Gasquet also played two matches on Friday.
"I had to do a big tiebreak and I did it," said Gasquet. "And then I felt well, more confident. I felt more fresh after winning the first set."
Gasquet took control in the second set when he broke for a 5-2 lead. Isner double faulted on a deuce, then netted to give Gasquet the advantage, which he capitalized on with another backhand winner.
-- The Canadian Press
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 12, 2012 B13
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