Gasquet earns win on Monte-Carlo farewell

There’s still plenty of life left in Richard Gasquet.

The 38-year-old wild card secured victory in his final Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters appearance on Sunday, defeating Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 to reach the second round.

Set to retire after Roland Garros, Gasquet is competing in The Principality for the 12th and final time. In front of a passionate French crowd, he dazzled on Court Rainier III with his stunning shot-making, clinching victory after two hours and 35 minutes.

Gasquet made his Monte-Carlo debut in 2002 as a 15-year-old wild card and reached the semi-finals in 2005. With a 19-11 record at the event, the former world No. 7 will look to extend his run against Felix Auger-Aliassime or qualifier Daniel Altmaier.

Another chapter written in @richardgasquet1’s Monte-Carlo story 🧡

pic.twitter.com/x7kbqVkeJ6

— Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters (@ROLEXMCMASTERS) April 6, 2025

Earlier, wild card Valentin Vacherot became the first Monegasque player to record a main draw match win at the event since Jean-Rene Lisnard in 2009.

The 26-year-old defeated Jan-Lennard Struff 6-2, 6-1 to reach the second round after 58 minutes. After sealing his first ATP Tour win, the No. 259 in the PIF ATP Rankings closed his eyes and raised his arms to the sky. Vacherot will next take on Grigor Dimitrov or Nicolas Jarry.

Jordan Thompson also advanced, defeating Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-4, 6-3. The Australian will meet three-time champion Stefanos Tsitsipas in the second round.