Antwerp 2020: Alex de Minaur vs Richard Gasquet preview, head-to-head & prediction | ATP European Open

Fixture: (8) Alex de Minaur vs. Richard Gasquet

Date: 20 October 2020

Tournament: ATP European Open

Round: 1st round (Round of 32)

Venue: Antwerp, Belgium

Category: ATP 250

Surface: Indoor hardcourt

Prize money: €394,800

Match timing: Not before 6.30 pm CEST, 10 pm IST

Live telecast: United States - Tennis Channel

Alex de Minaur vs Richard Gasquet preview

Australia's Alex de Minaur has been one of the best young players over the past couple of seasons. He made it to the ATP NextGen Finals two years in a row, and also won three ATP titles last year.

From wild card to champion 🏆18-year-old Jannik Sinner breezes past Alex de Minaur 4-2, 4-1, 4-2 to claim the title in Milan! #NextGenATP | @janniksin pic.twitter.com/coPps8qLSP

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) November 9, 2019

The 21-year-old broke into the top 20 at the end of last season and was tipped to make a big run at this year's Australian Open, but unfortunately had to pull out of the event due to an abdominal injury. De Minaur, now ranked No. 29 in the world, bounced back by reaching his first Slam quarterfinal at the US Open in New York.

His opponent in the first round of the Antwerp event will be former World No. 8 Richard Gasquet, whose best days are probably behind him.

The 34-year-old Frenchman is currently ranked No. 53 in the world. After second-round appearances at the Western & Southern Open and the US Open, Gasquet lost his first match at the French Open and at last week's St. Petersburg Open.

Alex de Minaur vs Richard Gasquet head-to-head

Alex de Minaur leads the head-to-head against Richard Gasquet 1-0. The two players met recently at the 2020 US Open in the second round, with De Minaur coming through 6-4 6-3 6-7 7-5.

Richard Gasquet at the 2019 Western and Southern Open

De Minaur and Gasquet are also playing the UTS event this weekend, and will meet on Sunday in what should serve as a prelude to their Antwerp first round match.

Tonight in Antwerp: Gasquet v. De Minaur (best of 5 quarters)Tomorrow in Antwerp: Gasquet v. De Minaur (best of 3 sets)🤨 https://t.co/usoLizzcgR

— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) October 18, 2020

Alex de Minaur vs Richard Gasquet prediction

Alex de Minaur during his 2020 US Open run

Alex de Minaur is known for being one of the quickest players on the tour. The 21-year-old's game is similar to that of Lleyton Hewitt, and just like the former World No.1, De Minaur lacks a major offensive weapon that can help him win matches easily.

Richard Gasquet is known for his elegant single-handed backhand, but now in his mid-30s, he doesn't have the same firepower and freshness in his game as he used to earlier. De Minaur, being the higher-ranked and younger player of the two, will be the favorite in this match.

Prediction: Alex de Minaur to win in three sets.