Australian Open (Q) – For Hugo Gaston, Australia stops in Doha #gaston #hugogaston #medvedev #ausopen #doha #atp

Cold snap for Hugo Gaston … Even though he had already inherited the wild card of reciprocity at theOpen d’Australie at the beginning of the year (Editor’s note: eliminated in the first round by Jaume Munar), Hugo Gaston was the big favorite to receive a possible new sesame. And the Toulousain had to take a little hit on the head when he learned that the agreement was null and void even if he had to fear it … During the last Roland-Garros, no “Aussie” had indeed received “bristol”. Australians have memories and they too have players to “protect”. Unlike theUS Open, the organizers of the “Happy Slam” maintained the qualifiers but they had to move them to Doha for men.

When Hugo Gaston made his comeback at Creps Poitiers

Obviously, it does not have the same flavor but it will be necessary to put the context aside. Currently 161st worldwide, the revelation of Roland Garros will not be seeded in Doha. But he prepared to go into battle. After an altitude training course at Font-Romeu, he experienced a little annoyance by injuring his left hand at the Challenge Pro in Poitiers. It was December 12th. More fear than harm because, the following days, the Stade Toulousain player crisscrossed the South of France to type with prestigious sparring-partners, such as Danill Medvedev or Ugo Humbert. Present in Doha for a few days, the Toulousain has packed a little sunscreen because he hopes that these qualifiers will only be a step towards the Melbourne sun.

Opposed this Tuesday to Max Purcell, the Toulousain has never been at ease. This Australian, 204th in the world, is best known for reaching the doubles final of the Australian Open with his boyfriend Luke Saville. In singles, his CV is less impressive. After beating Manuel Guinard in the first round of qualifying at Roland Garros, he increased the number of eliminations in the first round. But in Qatar, he recorded a logical 7-6, 4-6, 6-3 success. Hard to swallow for Hugo Gaston … who will have to bounce back at the end of the month at the Challenger de Quimper.

Last week of physical preparation of the year completed for @HugoGaston7 and his staff Ligue Occitanie: Marc BARBIER and Kévin BLANDY.
A new experience, in the French Riviera, rich in meetings and sharing⚡�’�
dŸ ‘‰ @Allin_academy_ @MouratoglouAcad #montecarlocountryclub pic.twitter.com/nwg7inG5KU

– Occitanie Pyrenees-Mediterranean Tennis League (@LigueOccTennis) December 21, 2020