Gasquet defeats Baker in Shanghai, Dolgopolov also through to 2nd round

11th seeded Richard Gasquet reached the second round of the Shanghai Rolex Masters 2012 after eliminating American qualifier Brian Baker in straight sets 6-2 6-3.

With this victory, the Frenchman kept his ATP World Tour Finals hopes alive.

Gasquet outclassed his opponent in the first set, racing to a 5-0 lead. Even though Baker managed a mini comeback, claiming the next two games, it was too little and too late as the Frenchman took a lead in the match.

The second set was a bit more tight, but it was Gasquet once more who took the American’s serve in the 8th game just before serving out the match and setting up a second round encounter against the winner of the match between Radek Stepanek and Lleyton Hewitt.

Also through to round two is Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov after a convincing victory over Jeremy Chardy of France, prevailing 6-2 6-3.

In other first round matches, Benoit Paire of France overcame German qualifier Philipp Petzschner 7-6 (2) 6-4, Spaniard Tommy Robredo defeated Alex Bogomolov Jr. of Russia 7-6 (4) 6-4 and South African Kevin Anderson ousted Jarkko Nieminen of Finland 6-2 7-6 (4).

Tags Alexandr Dolgopolov Brian Baker Gasquet beats Baker Jeremy Chardy richard gasquet Shanghai Rolex Masters 2012