Cincinnati (USA) (AFP)

Richard Gasquet, 56th in the world and Andy Murray in the first round, qualified for the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Masters 1000 by beating Argentina's Diego Schwartzman (24th), 7-6 (8/6), 6 -3, Thursday, a first at this level since Monte Carlo in April 2018, Adrian Mannarino (59) logically bowing to the Belgian David Goffin (19th) 7-6 (8/6), 6-2.

Richard Gasquet showed a lot of character to overcome Schwartzman, 26, winner this year in Los Cobos and finalist in Buenos Aires. Led 5-2, he had to save two first-set balls in the decisive game, 4/6, before leveling four points and winning the initial round after 66 minutes.

"Winning the first set was very important, he was leading 6-4 in the tie-break, it was the key moment of the match because the set was long and difficult," said 33-year-old Gasquet. looking for a 16th career title.

On his way, he led 3-0, 4-2 and 5-3 before concluding his first match point despite a double fault, compensated in the wake of an ace, in the last game. Gasquet, Last week's runner-up in Montreal last week, he gave the Argentinian his third defeat in three confrontations thanks to a very efficient service (11 aces and 75% points scored on his first balls).

- "A lot of pressure" -

"The last game was tough, there was a lot of pressure on my shoulders because he's a very good player, solid on the back of the court, it's a big win for me because he's a big player. tournament, "added Gasquet, operated hamstrings in January 2019.

He will face the next round the winner of the match between the Spanish Roberto Bautista, 11th player in the world, and the young Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic, 58th in the world at 19 and from qualifying.

However, the adventure ended in 8th for Mannarino face, it is true, the "mountain" Goffin, 19th world at 28, four titles to his name and a final in Halle this year. The 31-year-old Frenchman and winner of s-Hertogenbosch's turf in 2019 was deceived early in the game by leading 2-0 and 3-1, but the Belgian then enforced the hierarchy to conclude the game after 1 pm 37 minutes of exchanges.

Lucas Pouille (31st worldwide) is the last Habs to compete in the eighth against Russia's Karen Khachanov, 9th in the world at 23 years old.

© 2019 AFP