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Match details
Fixture: Richard Gasquet vs Salvatore Caruso
Date: 12 November 2020
Tournament: Sofia Open 2020
Round: Quarterfinals
Venue: Sofia, Bulgaria
Category: ATP 250 Series
Surface: Indoor hardcourt
Prize money: €325,615
Match timing: Approx 8 pm local time, 11:30 pm IST
Live telecast: USA - ESPN / Tennis Channel
Richard Gasquet vs Salvatore Caruso preview
It has taken him a while, but Richard Gasquet seems to have found some winning momentum once again. The Frenchman has scored back-to-back wins over solid opponents to make the quarterfinals at the Sofia Open - his first since the resumption of the tour.
With the exit of most big names from the draw, which includes the top two seeds, Gasquet will now be fancying his chances of going all the way in the Bulgarian capital.
Up next for the 34-year-old is Italy's Salvatore Caruso, who scored an upset win over the second-seeded Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime in the second round.
While that win might have come as a big surprise for many, it wasn't completely out of the blue. Caruso, who is better known for his claycourt exploits, has shown signs of improvement on the faster surfaces eve since the beginning of the American hardcourt swing this year.
The 27-year-old made it to the third round of the US Open, and has now scored wins over big-hitting opponents like Jannik Sinner and Auger-Aliassime. Those wins will give him a lot of confidence heading into the last-eight clash on Thursday.
Richard Gasquet vs Salvatore Caruso head-to-head
This will be the first career meeting between Richard Gasquet and Salvatore Caruso, so the duo's current head-to-head stands at a 0-0 deadlock.
Richard Gasquet vs Salvatore Caruso prediction
Richard Gasquet has looked very comfortable playing in indoor conditions over the last couple of weeks. His Paris Masters campaign may have been cut short after a tight straight-sets loss to Diego Schwartzman, but Gasquet is definitely heading in the right direction in terms of rediscovering his lost form.
Against an opponent who isn't particularly known for big groundstrokes or a powerful game, the Frenchman will look to take the role of the aggressor. Salvatore Caruso will need to find a way to keep Gasquet from finding his groove - something that he did well against his last opponent.
However, given how clinical the Frenchman has been in his wins so far, that might prove to be a tough ask.
Prediction: Richard Gasquet to win in two tight sets.
