US Open 2020: Ivo Karlovic vs Richard Gasquet preview, head-to-head & prediction

Match details

Fixture: Ivo Karlovic vs Richard Gasquet

Date: 1 September 2020

Tournament: US Open 2020

Round: First round (Round of 128)

Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York, USA

Category: Grand Slam

Surface: Outdoor hardcourt

Prize money: $39,024,000

Match timing: 5 PM EDT, 2:30 AM IST

Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel / ESPN | India - Star Sports / Hotstar

Ivo Karlovic vs Richard Gasquet preview

Richard Gasquet takes on Ivo Karlovic in his 2020 US Open opener.

Former semifinalist Richard Gasquet opens his campaign at the 2020 US Open against the oldest player in the men's singles draw this year - Ivo Karlovic.

The Frenchman opened his 2020 season at the Montpellier Open where he won two rounds before losing to Vasek Pospisil in the quarterfinals. Following a first-round exit in Marseille, Richard Gasquet reached another quarterfinal - this time in Dubai - where he went down to compatriot Gael Monfils.

That turned out to be his last competitive outing before the COVID-19 outbreak. Richard Gasquet returned to the tour at the Cincinnati Masters where he won a match before losing to eventual semifinalist Roberto Bautista Agut.

Richard Gasquet returns to the US Open after a first-round exit last year. The 34-year-old made the semifinal at the tournament in 2013 and the last eight two years later.

But since then, he has failed to overcome the opening hurdle at Flushing Meadows in three of his next four US Open appearances. Against the big-serving Karlovic, Gasquet has a potential banana skin in his path.

Meanwhile, Ivo Karlovic opened his season with a first-round exit in Doha. At his next stop at the Australian Open, Karlovic became the oldest player in over four decades to win a Grand Slam singles match.

In 15 appearances at the US Open, Karlovic's best showing was a run to the fourth round in 2015. However, the big Croat has fallen in the first round in his last two appearances at the tournament.

Ivo Karlovic vs Richard Gasquet head-to-head

Richard Gasquet has a healthy 5-1 lead in his head-to-head rivalry with Ivo Karlovic. However, the 41-year-old Croat's lone victory over Gasquet came in the pair's only previous meeting at a Grand Slam tournament - the second round at the 2011 US Open.

Ivo Karlovic vs Richard Gasquet prediction

Richard Gasquet (106) is one of a few active players to have won over 100 Grand Slam singles matches. However, in his last 12 Grand Slam appearances, the Frenchman has fallen in the opening round on six occasions, with two of these instances happening at the US Open.

Nevertheless, despite his inconsistent recent form at Majors, the Frenchman should be able to overcome the challenge of Karlovic if he manages to take care of his own serves and break his opponent's.

Prediction: Richard Gasquet to win in four sets.

About the author

Bhargav is a veteran sports journalist and editor at Sportskeeda, with a rich professional experience of 17 years, working for the likes of Siemens and Bombay Dyeing. An avid football and tennis follower for over three decades, Bhargav uses his vast knowledge and experience, attention to detail, an unbiased yet interesting writing style, and thorough research to craft insightful articles, which have raked in over 20 million reads so far.

Bhargav supports Italy at national level, a team steeped in tradition and history according to him. He still harbors the heartbreak from the Azzurri’s 1994 FIFA World Cup final defeat against Brazil, and protagonist-turned-antagonist from the game, ‘Divine Ponytail’ Roberto Baggio is his all-time favorite player. His favorite manager is Marcelo Lippi, who ended Italy’s 24-year wait for the World Cup trophy, winning it in 2006.

Outside Europe’s top five leagues, he follows the MLS following Lionel Messi’s move in 2023 but favors Cristiano Ronaldo in the G.O.A.T. debate. During his free time, Bhargav enjoys driving off to new places and singing.

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Edited by S Chowdhury