France secured a tie against reigning champions Croatia at the Hopman Cup in Bari, Italy, thanks to a victory from veteran Richard Gasquet.
Gasquet, who came out of a brief retirement for the mixed-team event, defeated Duje Ajdukovic in a three-set match (5-7, 6-2, 10-6). The 39-year-old, currently ranked 182nd in the ATP, proved instrumental for the French team.
Earlier in the day, France’s chloé Paquet, ranked 155th, fell to Donna Vekic of Croatia in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3. The overall outcome of the France-Croatia tie in Group B will be determined by the mixed doubles match scheduled for later Thursday evening.
Croatia had a mixed start to the tournament,losing 2-1 to Italy on Wednesday. In Group A, Greece and Spain are currently tied with one victory each in their opening matches.
The Hopman Cup, a mixed-team tennis competition, will see the top team from each group compete for the title on Sunday. The tournament, which was previously held in Perth, australia, from 1988 to 2018, returned in 2023 in Nice, France, where Croatia, with Vekic on the team, emerged victorious against Switzerland.
