'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAUACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABiAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQYQAAIBBAMBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwAEBRESEyEGMQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABhEBAAEDBAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIAAyEEBRESEzFB/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwDPYbHNb4n5yys5Vt+6xk4uE3qXagSv6OTAtvzQqk0T2xMMsndJEeDylQpdl8LaH5ulKOxWen7SVfI5cuVaJ7xGJclxEM2319bca//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Fixture: (6) Richard Gasquet vs Alexandre Muller
Tournament: Grand Prix Hassan II 2023
Date: Monday, April 3
Round: First Round (Round of 32)
Venue: Royal Tennis Club de Marrakech, Marrakech, Morocco
Category: ATP 250
Surface: Outdoor clay
Prize money: €562,815
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel/UK - Amazon Prime Video
Richard Gasquet vs Alexandre Muller preview
Sixth seed Richard Gasquet opens his campaign at the 2023 Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech against compatriot Alexandre Muller.
The 40th-ranked Gasquet is 8-6 on the season, having made the second round at the Miami Open last week. The 36-year-old French veteran made a rousing start to his 2023 season, winning his 16th singles title - his first in five years - in Auckland.
Gasquet, though, endured back-to-back opening round losses at his next two stops (Australian Open and Montpellier). The Frenchman then crossed the opening hurdle at his next five tournaments -- four on the ATP Tour (Rotterdam, Marseille, Indian Wells, Miami) and one on the Challenger Tour (Phoenix). He gave a walkover to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Miami Open second round because of an ankle injury.
Meanwhile, World No. 129 Muller is 2-1 on the season, with both wins coming in Doha, where he lost to Andy Murray in the quarterfinals after emerging from qualifying to make the main draw. The 26-year-old Frenchman has done well on the Challenger circuit in 2023, finishing runner-up at Waco and reaching the quarterfinals at Sanremo.
Richard Gasquet vs Alexandre Muller head-to-head
The two Frenchmen have never met on tour before, so their head-to-head stands at 0-0.
Richard Gasquet vs Alexandre Muller odds
(All odds as per BETMGM)
Richard Gasquet vs Alexandre Muller prediction
Both Gasquet and Muller look to win points off the back of the court, but the former holds a distinct edge in terms of experience and pedigree.
Gasquet started out more than two decades ago and is a multiple winner on the ATP Tour, where he has won nearly 600 matches. His younger compatriot, meanwhile, mostly plays on the Challenger Tour and has won just thrice on the ATP Tour.
Gasquet, renowned for his signature single-handed backhand, has three claycourt titles and has made at least the quarterfinals in his three previous visits to the Grand Prix Hassan II tournament. He should have enough in the tank to beat his younger compatriot, provided he has healed from his injury.
Pick: Gasquet in straight sets
