Roger Federer takes on local favourite Richard Gasquet for a place in the last eight of the Paris Masters.
Federer comes into this event with high hopes of picking up his first Paris Masters title after winning Basel for the fifth time last week. His chances have been boosted by Rafa Nadal's withdrawal and lingering question marks over Novak Djokovic's fitness.
The Swiss star eased his way into the tournament on Wednesday with a comfortable 6-2, 6-3 win over Adrian Mannarino to set up this highly anticipated clash with Gasquet.
"I thought it was a good match for me," Federer said afterwards. "I think Mannarino didn't play the best match, but for me it was a good way to find my way into the tournament. I felt rested coming into this tournament, even though it's been busy the last few days. That's a good feeling to have, because now I've got to back it up day after day if I want to do well here."
Gasquet has spent most of the indoor season on the sidelines due to injury and this is his first event since mid-September but he's a big favourite with the Paris fans and they roared him on to a 6-4, 7-6 second round win over Kevin Anderson.
Federer is certainly wary. "I'm going to prepare as if I had the best Richard Gasquet ever against me," he said. "I will need to play a good match, otherwise it is not going to be enough tomorrow. He didn't play for a while, but I expect Gasquet to be totally fit, otherwise he wouldn't be back in competition."
Gasquet will be buoyed by his 4-6, 7-6(2), 7-6(4) win over Federer in Rome back in May but away from the clay he's never beaten the Swiss. They met in Paris last year with Federer winning comfortably 6-4, 6-4.
