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  • Tokyo - Resurgent Rainer Schuettler takes on Richard Gasquet in quarters

    10/3/08 2:26 AM | Cheryl Murray
    - Germany’s Rainer Schuettler, this year’s surprise Wimbledon semifinalist plays Richard Gasquet on Friday to win a spot in the AIG Japan Open semifinal.

    Rainer Schuettler shocked the tennis world in 2003 when he came from out of nowhere to reach the finals of the Australian Open, losing to Andre Agassi in straight sets. This summer at Wimbledon, some five years later, he did the same thing. At number 94 in the world, the German quietly made his way through the draw at the All-England Club to the semifinals. Rafael Nadal beat him in straight sets. Since then, he has made a quarterfinal appearance in Kitzbuhel and he reached the semis last week in Beijing.

    The rankings would suggest that Schuettler is the underdog in Friday’s match-up against Richard Gasquet. The Frenchman is ranked 13 in the world and he is one of the most talented players on the tour. He completely demolished Kei Nishikori, the Japanese star, in the round of 16 on Thursday. Gasquet has not had a stellar year by his standards. He has had no tournament wins thus far, though he made the final in Stuttgart.

    Interestingly, these two men played last week in Beijing - in the quarterfinals. Schuettler emerged the victor in three sets and there is a very real possibility that he will be able to pull off the upset yet again. Schuettler in three.

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