Au revoir, Richard Gasquet! Frenchman loses to Jannik Sinner in farewell game at Roland Garros
France's Richard Gasquet smiles as he plays Italy's Jannik Sinner. (AP Photo)
THE TIMES OF INDIA AT ROLAND GARROS:
The Philippe Chatrier Court has been half-full for most of the day sessions this week, not on Thursday though. For Richard Gasquet, a former top-10 player, and the owner of an elegant single-handed backhand, it was a full house for his last outing.
The Frenchman was up against the world No. 1 Jannik Sinner. Both men were given standing ovations when they walked into the stadium. No sooner had play started and the roar on Chatrier echoed across the grounds with chants of 'Reeshard' clap, clap, clap; 'Reeshard' clap, clap, clap filling the late afternoon air.
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When Gasquet produced two backhand winners, down-the-line, catching Sinner out of position in the first of the veteran's service games, it raised visions.
The Italian was having none of that though as he powered to a 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 second-round win in shade under two-hours.
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Gasquet, who played in the era of the big three – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic – made three Grand Slam semifinals, twice at Wimbledon and once in New York, suffered a calf injury in the lead up to his farewell tournament.
Sinner, 23, took his time settling down on the clay, having played his first-round match under lights in vastly different conditions. 'In the evening, the ball bounces less. It can play a bit more flatter, because the ball doesn't pop up like it did today,' he said. 'Today, it was at times a bit cloudy, at times was sunny. Different conditions.'
Sinner, who had some support in the stands, applauded the home crowd, saying they were respectful. 'When you play against French players here, it's a little bit different, the atmosphere. It's the same when I play in Italy,' he said.
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