Simon and Gasquet Advance

Gilles Simon managed to advance into the second round. He beat Mohammed Ghareeb of Kuwait 5-7 6-4 6-4. The Frenchman struggled and was clearly frustrated throughout the game, but was able to put away the World No. 469. Simon will play Russian Teimuraz Gabashvili in the second round where he currently leads the head-to-head 3-0.
(image: Barclays Dubai Tennis Tournament)

Newly buzzed Marat Safin had the unfortunate task of taking on the World no. 26 Richard Gasquet of France in the first round. This is the eighth seed’s last appearance at the tournament since he will retire at the end of the year.

Both players played well for the first four games, then Richard Gasquet managed to win three games in a row. By game seven, Safin was back to keeping it real on the court, but Gasquet remained composed to close out the first set 6-3. It looked it was all going downhill for Safin, but he calmed down to keep things even in the second set. At the end of the second set, Gasquet began to struggle on his serve, and Safin broke Gasquet in the twelfth game to take the set 7-5.

The Frenchmen did not let the loss of the set get him down and quickly broke Safin in the first game of the third set. He then cruised to take the set and won the match 6-3 5-7 6-4. Gasquet will meet Italian Simone Bolleli in the second round. (Both images: AP)