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There's video evidence out there that Rafael Nadal did, indeed, lose a tennis match to Richard Gasquet. It was, however, half a lifetime ago, and it was at a tournament in Tarbes, France, for children aged 14 and under.
"Last time I beat him, I was 13," Gasquet said. "It was a long time ago." Reminded of that match, Nadal smiled and said: "I lost 6-4 in the third. Yeah, I remember."

As professionals, it's been a different story: Nadal has won all 10 of his matches against Gasquet heading into their US Open semi-final tomorrow.
When Gasquet looks up a clip of that long-ago encounter on YouTube, he said, "I can see I'm winning against him, so I don't believe it sometimes."
Based on the way Nadal is playing at the moment, it is hard to believe many players could beat him. A year after skipping the US Open because of a bad left knee, Nadal powered his way back to the semi-finals by overwhelming 19th-seeded Tommy Robredo 6-0, 6-2, 6-2.
"I'm sure that's the way I have to play to keep having chances to be successful in every surface, but especially on this one," said the second-seeded Nadal, who has won all 20 matches on hard courts in 2013. "I was able to do it today. I hope to be able to do it in two days."
He never faced a break point and has not lost a set over five matches and the Spaniard hasn't even lost a single service game so far, a run of 67 holds.
His latest win lasted one hour, 40 minutes, although it really was over after 22 minutes. That's how long it took Nadal to dominate the first set, not only winning every game but also 24 of 29 points, including all seven that lasted 10 strokes or more.
"I played great the first set," Nadal said. "It's my first set so far this year [that was] 100 per cent."
That's really saying something, considering that he has won 58 times and lost only three matches this season and won nine titles, including his record eighth championship at the French Open in June.
"He was up very quick," said Robredo, who has lost all seven grand slam quarter-finals, "and then there was nothing else to do. He was too good."
The eighth-seeded Gasquet, who was born 15 days after Nadal in June 1986, took a far more circuitous route to his first major semi-final in six years. After needing five sets to get past number 10 Milos Raonic in the fourth round, Gasquet again went the distance, edging fourth-seeded David Ferrer 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3 over nearly 3½ hours.
Gasquet might find some hope from knowing he had only won once again Ferrer before Wednesday.
"I know he's the favourite of the match," Gasquet said about Nadal. "Nobody will say I'm the favourite."
Nadal's 12 major trophies include the 2010 US Open, and he has reached at least the semi-finals the past five times he entered the tournament. Nadal did not come to New York in 2012, part of about a seven-month absence due mainly to a left knee problem. There was no sign of that in this match.
Nadal played at the French Open and Wimbledon with tape below his left knee, but not at the US Open. He looks healthy as can be, covering the court well and tracking down shot after shot.
A reporter asked Nadal whether he thinks he could beat world number one Novak Djokovic if they meet in Monday's final.
"If I don't play ]a] great match against Richard," Nadal replied, "I will see the final on TV."


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Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal thrashes Tommy Robredo to set up semi-final against Richard Gasquet

Richard Gasquet in action against Spain's David Ferrer. Photo: Xinhua

Sport

Tennis

Nadal destroys Tommy Robredo and now faces Richard Gasquet - who has not beaten him since the pair were children - for a spot in the final


There's video evidence out there that Rafael Nadal did, indeed, lose a tennis match to Richard Gasquet. It was, however, half a lifetime ago, and it was at a tournament in Tarbes, France, for children aged 14 and under.
