Gasquet sets up Federer clash

Home favourite Richard Gasquet set up a second-round meeting with World No 2 Roger Federer with a win over fellow countryman Nicolas Mahut in the Paris Masters tonight

Home favourite Richard Gasquet set up a second-round meeting with World No 2 Roger Federer with a win over fellow countryman Nicolas Mahut in the Paris Masters tonight.

Richard Gasquet returns the ball to Nicolas Mahut. Pic/AFP

The 24-year-old, a former World No 7, needed all three sets to get past his compatriot, eventually prevailing 7-5 4-6 7-6 (9/7).

He must now face Federer, fresh from his Swiss Indoors win over Novak Djokovic, in the next round on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, the crowd had seen two more of their own secure their passage through as Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra both won their games.
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Clement progressed after prevailing in a three-setter with Spain's Feliciano Lopez.