Gasquet, ranked 20th in the world, thumped the 11th seed 6-3 6-4 6-4 on Centre Court this afternoon to advance into the last-16 stage at SW19.
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Stan Wawrinka continued his stealthy progress through the Wimbledon draw with another clinical victory on Friday (Saturday NZT) as the Swiss dispatched Fernando Verdasco 6-4 6-3 6-4 to reach the fourth round. Dimitrov however couldn’t connect with his own backhand and soon gave Gasquet a fifth match point.
Gasquet had won their previous four meetings – an exhibition match last week excluded – and was rarely troubled during a contest that did not quite touch the heights expected thanks to Dimitrov’s inconsistency. Caught by surprise, Gasquet stretched and volleyed wide.
Dimitrov said: “It’s not happening for anyone right now. He has a great future and is still young”.
Gasquet finally closed things out when Dimitrov hit a poor backhand reply.
The French player achieved three breaks – one in each set, while Dimitrov did not record a single one. The next game was a personal ordeal for Dimitrov. “With each one match, I feel in that my game is getting better”, the 11th-ranked Bulgarian, compared to his mate, pal Roger Federer in the past “cause of their similar looking strokes, told reporters”.
The question was whether Gasquet could keep it going on the court where he squandered a two-set lead against Murray in the fourth round seven years ago.
Dimitrov’s woes escalated in the third set when he faced an early break point. However Gasquet was composed and Dimitrov, who made 24 unforced errors, handed him the decisive break on a silver platter, gambling on a backhand flying long and watching in despair as it kissed the baseline.
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Raonic meanwhile lost to Nick Kyrgios 7-5 5-7 6-7 (3-7) 3-6, despite the latter double faulting three times in the final game of the first set. Dimitrov then saved a fourth match point with a monstrous forehand but there was no more generosity from Gasquet.
