ATP Antwerp: Constant Lestienne released in the 2nd round by Daniel Evans (6-2, 6-1), Gasquet and Thiem qualified

Lestienne exceeded

The task promised to be difficult, it was quickly insurmountable for Constant Lestienne. Opposed to the seeded number 5 of the tournament and 26th player in the world Daniel Evans, the native of Amiens never really managed to find the right rhythm on Wednesday in Antwerp. Result: he was swept away in two sets (6-2, 6-1) and 1h14 of play in the 2nd round. His British executioner could find Félix Auger-Aliassime, titled last Sunday in Florence, in the quarter-finals.

Broken from the start, Constant Lestienne missed the opportunity to revive in the fourth game during which he obtained three consecutive break points (0/40) without managing to convert one. In the process, he saw his opponent escape definitively (4-1 double break) and no longer obtained the slightest opportunity. The second round thus turned into a nightmare: a service game validated before cashing a 6-0 to finish. His first ball did not, among other things, cause any difficulty to his opponent who won more than half of the points behind on the raise.

Gasquet to experience

Later in the afternoon, Richard Gasquet experienced a happier outcome. Favorite on paper against the young Swiss Dominic Stricker, from the qualifications and 136th player in the world, the Biterrois held his rank in a hung game. He won in two sets (7-6, 7-5) and just two hours of play. In the quarter-finals, he will find Diego Schwartzman or David Goffin.

During this very balanced match, Gasquet was able to make experience speak. In the tie-break of the first act, he thus dismissed a set point at 6-5 against him, winning the last three points, the last of which in style on a return sequence of uncrossed forehand – amortized from a winning backhand. In the second round, the tricolor veteran got scared. He first surfed on his momentum, breaking from the start and even getting three chances to take off definitively at 7-6, 2-0. But Stricker held the shock on his serve and regained his delay (7-6, 3-3).

Gasquet could have suffered the blow, but he still knew how to bide his time, well helped by his young opponent who offered him his service somewhat at 5-5. Although under pressure on the next game, the Frenchman was able to conclude, showing himself to be solid to dismiss break points (8/10 saved in all on the match). If he no longer has his 20-year-old legs, Gasquet has been able to take advantage of his many years on the clock on the circuit. He will play his 6th quarter-final this season.

Thiem did not shake

Dominic Thiem confirms his return to form. Injured in the right wrist and removed from all competition for nine months (between June 2021 and March 2022), the Austrian pocketed a good qualification in the quarter-finals after his victory against the Belgian Michael Geerts (6-4, 6-0) this Wednesday. Solid and confident, the former world number 3 seems to regain his feelings at the end of competitions and matches. Thus, his return to the Top 100 is a little more precise.