His 15th and last title dates back to June 2018, in 's-Hertogenbosch, in the Netherlands.
Richard Gasquet (67th in the world) qualified for the final of the ATP 250 tournament in Auckland by taking advantage of the package of his compatriot Constant Lestienne (65th), injured in a pectoral, before the half which was to oppose the two Frenchmen, Friday.
The 36-year-old Biterrois, former world No. 7, will play his 33rd final in Auckland, against Briton Cameron Norrie (12th) who will be in his 12th after beating American Jenson Brooksby (48th) in the other semi-final. ) 6-3, 6-4.
The meeting will not take place before 2 p.m. on Saturday in New Zealand, or 12 hours later in France.
Lestienne preferred to save himself for his first round of the Australian Open, which begins on Monday and during which he will face the Brazilian Thiago Monteiro, for what will be his first participation, at 30, in a Grand Slam tournament.
Back in the Top 50
Gasquet will meet his compatriot Ugo Humbert in Melbourne.
By then, victory or not against Norrie, he is sure to return to the Top 50 of the ATP ranking on Monday, from which he left in April 2021.
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Richard Gasquet
Auckland
Australian Open 2023