Richard Gasquet Forever (saisons 2009-volume 1)

Gasquet Movie Score: four / five

Richard Gasquet Forehands In Slow Motion – BNP Paribas Open 2013

Gasquet Online video Rating: 5 / five

Backwards Tennis – Tomas Berdych vs Richard Gasquet

Gasquet Video Rating: / 5

Navratilova Thinks Serena Had Other Reason For Drop Out

Martina Navratilova, one of the greatest tennis players of all time, doesn’t think that Serena Williams left her doubles match at All England Club last week because of some sort of viral infection.

The former Czech player reckons the real reason behind the withdrawal of the American superstar was something else.

Speaking to a website, Navratilova said, “Serena was not in the perfect physical and mental state, that was clear, but, I am not sure it was a viral infection. Whatever that was though, we should just hope for her quick recovery, but, I do believe the real thing hasn’t come out.”

“I saw the statement of her coach and he was like he didn’t have any idea what happened. That’s ridiculous. A coach doesn’t happen to be this irresponsible.”

“First and foremost, Serena should not have gone into the match provided the condition she was in. It seemed to be almost impossible for her to compete. She was struggling to make connection.”

Before that doubles match, Serena had been defeated by Alize Cornet of France in the Round of 3 in the singles competition and according to Navratilova, it’s the disappointment of that loss which might have taken Serena in a bad state of mind, but, if that was the case, she should have withdrawn straightaway rather than creating that sort of dramatic situation.

In the Words of Navratilova who herself won a total of 18 Grand Slam titles, “If you have an issue, you shouldn’t go out there. That’s fair enough. But, once you step out, you should try your best to get through the match. It doesn’t matter if there is something that’s hurting you from inside or you are gutted because of a defeat; you’ve got to make it through. That’s what I think.”

Backwards Tennis – Richard Gasquet vs Kevin Anderson

Gasquet Video Score: / 5

Youzhny Wins First Match

Kafelnikov’s countryman, Mikhail Youzhny, won his first match in the Swiss Open yesterday and made his way into the Round of 8. He defeated Kenny De Schepper of France in the straight sets by 6-3, 6-4.

Now, for a place in the semis, Youzhny will be up against Robin Haase of Netherlands.

Haase advanced to the quarter finals by getting better of the local boy Henri Laaksonen in a hard fought contest.

Youzhny and Haase had faced each other in the title round of this tournament last year. The Russian had managed to clinch the title by emerging victorious in that match.

So, Haase would definitely be looking for revenge. It would be difficult for him to do that though given Youzhny’s recent form.

Youzhny had looked like returning to form towards the end of the clay court season itself as he had reached the Round of 4 in the tournament in Stuttgart. Now, it seems that he has hit peak form and he would surely be the favourite going into the match against Haase.

Talking to the reporters after securing win against Schepper, Youzhny said, “You always feel nervous before the opening game, no matter where you are playing and who is there to face you. Thankfully, I did well, got a couple of breakthroughs and did alright on the serve too.”

“I have been hampered by injuries this season; but I can still make it a decent season for me if I remain consistent in the remaining tournaments.”

Youzhny is presently out of top 75 in the world rankings. He is at the 79^th position. He can make big strides in the rankings in the near future though, but, for that, he needs to defend his crown successfully at Gstaad.