Querrey pulls off upset, gets Djokovic next
American Sam Querrey won a big match today over #7 Richard Gasquet 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 at the Monte Carlo Masters series event to reach the quarterfinals. Querrey had 11 aces, and converted on two of four break chances. That was really the difference in the match, because Gasquet had 10 break opportunities and only converted on two of them. This is Querrey’s second appearance in a quarterfinal at a Masters Series event, with the first coming last year at Cincinnati. He lost that match to James Blake in three sets.
Querrey will now get Djokovic in the quarters, after the Serb crushed Andy Murray 6-0, 6-4. Again, the difference here was break chances. Djokovic converted 5/10, while Murray was only 1/5. Djokovic is 1-0 against Querrey in his career, with that win coming earlier this year at the Australian Open.
This is going to be a tough match for Querrey to win, but if his serve is working he will compete. I believe it’s a good sign though for one of our American boys to get into the quarters of a clay court Masters Series event. There has been so much made about the American failures on clay, but maybe this is the start of something good.
I agree Nick – maybe it is the start of something good for the Americans on clay. At the very least, it’s not a failure and that’s a good thing!