Auckland Open: Gasquet gets walkover, advances to 33rd career final

Frenchman Richard Gasquet moved into the final of the Auckland Open after countryman Constant Lestienne withdrew before their semi-final at the ASB Tennis Centre on Friday.

Gasquet, ranked No 67, will play second seed Cameron Norrie next. The Brit scored his sixth win in a row this eyar with a straight sets victory over American Jenson Brooksby in the first semi-final of the day.

This will be Gasquet’s 33rd ATP final but his first since July 2021 and will also move him back inside the world’s top 50 next week.

Earlier in the tournament, the French veteran had beaten Kiwi wildcard Kiranpal Pannu (6-3, 6-1), Portuguese lucky loser João Sousa (7-6 (2), 6-2) and Belgian David Goffin (1-6, 6-1, 6-1).

Lestienne, ranked No 65 in the world, had overcome Argentine Pedro Cachin (6-3, 6-1), qualifier Gregoire Barrere (1-6, 7-6 (4), 7-5) and Serb Laslo Djere (2-6, 7-6 (2), 7-5) earlier in the week.

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