French Open preview and odds: Nick Kyrgios vs Richard Gasquet

Published on: 26/05/2016

French Open preview and odds: Nick Kyrgios vs Richard Gasquet

May 27, 2016 - Roland Garros, Third Round

In one of the plum ties of the third round, youthful Aussie Nick Kyrgios will go head-to-head with experienced Frenchman Richard Gasquet for a place in the last 16.

Youth versus experience

A 31-7 record for 2016 has helped Nick Kyrgios to reach a career-high ranking position of 19. The young Aussie has become a regular face at the business end of tournaments and is now looking to reach the last 16 of the French Open for the first time in his career.

The 21-year-old has faced Richard Gasquet six times before but has only beaten him twice. However, in their last meeting he was totally dominant, cruising to a 6-0, 6-4 win on the hard courts of Marseilles back in February. Their only previous meeting on clay came in Portugal last year when Gasquet won in straight sets.

The French player is experiencing a welcome return to form after dropping out of the top 20 last year. At 29-years of age, he is arguably at his peak and will be looking to make the most of this period in his career. Now ranked No. 12 in the world, he will fancy his chances against the youngster.

He made it to the last 16 in Madrid and Rome before falling to Kei Nishikori on both occasions. His only other appearance on clay this year - at Monte Carlo - ended in a three-set defeat to Lucas Pouille.

Betting predictions

This should be a close match but Kyrgios already has six top 20 scalps to his name in 2016 and has all the momentum on his side.

You can back Kyrgios to win at 8/11 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 26/05/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (26/05/2016 16:28:41) but are subject to change.