PARIS – World No. 1 Jannik Sinner retired Frenchman Richard Gasquet on Thursday, making it easier for the third round in the generational battle at the French Open with a 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 hammer.
It was the second time in Paris that a 23-year-old sinner defeated local hero Gasquet.
“It’s clearly a very special place for me to play Richard. I played last year too. It’s very tough, but I’m happy to be in the third round,” Thinner said. “I think we have a good relationship from the court. We are from a different generation, but that’s his moment now. Congratulations on your career, you’ve given the fans a lot.
“You had a great career, but you’re a great person too.”
Despite the gravity of the loss, Gasquet was defeated and elegant.
“I couldn’t dream of a better outcome than having my final match in this court,” Gasquet said following his loss at the courtroom Philippe Chatelier. “I will continue to love tennis until the end of my life.”
The 38-year-old Frenchman, who made his French open debut in 2002 when the top-seeded sinner was still in the crib, drew a loud roar from the crowd of his house when he unleashed a backhand with one hand in Italian early in the match.
Fans settled a bit as Thinner went ahead 4-1 to win the opening set.
The sinner faced more resistance in the first eight games of the next set as Gasquet mounted an unlikely comeback attempt, but he broke with a 5-4 lead and quickly closed the match.
Rafael Nadal, who retired in November, paid tribute to Gasquet in a post on his social media channel.
“We were kids, so we’ve shared so many moments on and off the court. Hundreds of tournaments, cities, matches,” writes Nadal, the 14-time French Open champion. “Through your great career, your talent has been recognized around the world. I am pleased to be able to say goodbye to tennis today in a special place like (Roland Garos). I hope that we will continue to be the best of you in the future!”
Other winners in the men’s bracket on Thursday included No. 3 Alexander Zverev and No. 14 Arthur Phil, with 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic taking a medical timeout to deal with the troublesome toes, but eliminated the Corentin Mutet in three sets.
The report used information from Reuters and the Associated Press.
