French Open 2025 Men’s Day 5

Jannik Sinner ended the two-decade-plus career of Richard Gasquet 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 on Thursday as the world No. 1 powered his way into the third round of the French Open.

The one-time world No. 7 had announced that Roland Garros would be the final chapter in a run which began when he won his first match in 2002.

Sinner, who was one year old at that time, paid tribute to the French veteran whose whipping one-handed backhand remains a rare classic in the modern game.

“This is your moment,” the Italian winner said to Gasquet post-match. “Congrats for your amazing career. You played in an incredible era of tennis.

“He played in maybe the best era ever in tennis, and he reached some incredible results,” the Italian added. 

“It was amazing to share this moment with him, and obviously I wish him only the best for his new chapter.”

Gasquet said later after some reflection: “I have great memories. I’m retiring now. It’s a little bit weird for me. 

“I played all my life. But it’s tennis. You have to stop one day.

“I’m really lucky to do it on a stage like this against the No. 1 in the world, so it’s the perfect end for me.”

Victory over Gasquet in less than two hours marked the 17th straight Grand Slam victory for Sinner, currently the Australian and US Open holder.

“I’m very happy to be in the third round. Thanks for being so fair with me,” he told the French crowd. “I know what was on the line…

“It’s right that the French players have more support here, because we are in France. When you play Americans in US Open, it’s the same. And against

Australian players in Australian Open, even there. It’s normal.

“But I really enjoy it. The most important part is to make a good match out of it. That’s why people come to watch tennis, and that should be the most important part.”

Last year’s finalist Alexander Zverev continued his quiet march through the draw, coming from a set down to overhaul Jesper De Jong of the Netherlands 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3.

“In the beginning I didn’t play my best. I went down 3-0 quite quickly,”the German winner said.

“He started off very, very fast, and I never found the way back in the first set. But then from the second set onwards I thought my level was raised.

Sixth seed Novak Djokovic polished his impeccable record against Frenchmen on their home ground with a gruelling 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (1) win over Corentin Moutet.

The Serb who won the title here three times has never lost against a local in a dozen career matches at Roland Garros.

Djokovic last lost before the quarter-finals here in 2009, beaten that year by Philip Kohlschreiber in the third round.

“The match was a battle, especially in the third set,’ Djokovic said. “When he had a set point in the third, anything was possible.

“I did well to stay in the match and serve well at the right moments.

“I played pretty well, but it was not easy. Playing a Frenchman here is always tough.”

Elsewhere, France’s Arthur Fils spent four and a half hours in collecting a home victory, defeating  Spaniard Jaume Munar 7-6 (3), 7-6 (4), 2-6, 0-6, 6-4.

Former top 10 player Andrey Rublev stopped Australian Adam Walton 7-6 (1), 6-1, 7-6 (5). Cam Norrie advanced the British cause with his 7-6 (7), 6-2, 6-1 win over Argentine lucky loser Federico Gomez.

Qualifier Henrique Rocha continued to impress, with the No. 200 reaching the third round in his first Grand Slam appearance as he put out Czech Jakob Mensik with a massive comeback effort.

The Portuguese came from two sets to love down for a 2-6, 1-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 victory.

Jiri Lehecka got one back for the Czechs, beating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2. Kazakh Alexander Bublik shocked Australian ninth seed Alex de Minaur 2-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2.