Sinner Bids Adieu To Gasquet, Extends Major Win Streak At Roland-Garros

Richard Gasquet
Richard Gasquet (photo: Roland-Garros video)

PARIS/WASHINGTON, May 29, 2025 (by Michael Dickens)

By the end of their one-hour, 57-minute second-round match at Roland-Garros, before a capacity crowd of 15,000 adoring fans that filled Court Philippe-Chatrier on a gorgeous, sunny Thursday afternoon, Jannik Sinner shared a warm and respectful embrace with Richard Gasquet at the net. It was a collegial moment between two different generations of men’s professional tennis.

While the World No. 1 from Italy had just won his 16th straight match at Grand Slam level with his 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 victory over the 38-year-old grand gentleman of French tennis, the 23-year-old Sinner knew it was time for him to step aside so that the Frenchman from Béziers could bid adieu to his fans and be rewarded for a rich career that included 610 tour-level victories – most of any French player in the Open Era.

Gasquet, who was making his 22nd appearance at Stade Roland-Garros, was unable to respond effectively to Sinner’s heavy, ball-striking attack that was filled full of accurate and well-placed shots on this emotionally charged day. But it wasn’t for a lack of trying. He maintained a positive attitude and approach, and still amazed everyone – including Sinner – with his stylish, one-fisted backhand that produced some of the 22 winners and 62 points overall he won.

As Gasquet sought his second win over a World No. 1, more than 20 years after beating No. 1 Roger Federer at Monte-Carlo in 2005, the former World No. 7 and French Open quarterfinalist looked to reach the Roland-Garros third round for the 10th time in his career, 20 years after his first in 2005 – and first since 2018, losing to Rafael Nadal on both occasions. This time, though, it wasn’t meant to be. Instead, Sinner improved to 18-5 at Roland-Garros with his relative easy win over Gasquet.

With Sinner’s victory secured, he became the first man born in 1990 or later to produce 16 straight major triumphs. The South Tyrolean hit 27 winners, made 20 unforced errors, converted five of 11 break points and outpointed Gasquet 91-62.

Afterward, Sinner, who is trying to become the first Italian man to win the French Open since Adriano Panatta in 1976, spoke briefly during his on-court interview but gave plenty of props to Gasquet, who finished his career with 16 tour-level titles.

“We have a good relationship off the court. We are different generations, but it’s your moment,” Sinner said to Gasquet during his on-court interview prior to the ceremony honoring the Frenchman. “Congrats to your family, to your team. Without great people around each player, it’s impossible to make such an incredible career. You played in such an incredible era of tennis and everyone will recognize you, even after your retirement.”

Sinner, who also beat Gasquet in the second round at Roland-Garros last year, added: “It’s obviously a very special place for me to play. Against Richard, we already played last year here, it’s always very tough. I’m generally very happy to be in the third round. Thank you guys for making it fair.”

Afterward, in a 15-minute ceremony on court, Gasquet received congratulations from Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gilles Simon and Gaël Monfils in a pre-recorded tribute video. He also received an impressive glass trophy filled with red clay from Roland-Garros with the word “Merci” engraved on it from tournament director Amélie Mauresmo and Gilles Moretton, president of the French Tennis Federation.

During his remarks to the crowd, translated from French, Gasquet said: “I want to thank Jannik for his kindness, for his beautiful words, and for the man he is. I truly hope you have an amazing career ahead of you. …

“I’ve thought a lot about this day, you hope it never comes, but today is it. I can’t dream of anything better than standing on this incredible court, the most beautiful court in the world.”

Next for Sinner is No. 34 Jiri Lehecka of Czechia, who beat No. 26 seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain for the third straight time. He advanced with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory in two hours and 19 minutes on Court 13. Lehecka hit 12 aces and 39 winners overall.

Meanwhile, for Gasquet, who made his Roland-Garros debut in 2002 as a 294th-ranked wild card at age 16, he will be remembered for a remarkable career – in an era that included Nadal, Djokovic and Federer. Gasquet reached three major semifinals – twice at Wimbledon and once at the US Open. He won 117 Grand Slam matches – third among all Frenchmen in the Open Era – and helped France win the 2017 Davis Cup title. Plus, Gasquet won an Olympic bronze medal in doubles at London in 2012.

As befitting of its favorite son, Gasquet received a standing ovation – and he waved to the crowd – as he walked off Court Philippe-Chatrier one last time.

Portuguese qualifier Rocha stuns Mensik

Henrique Rocha, a 21-year-old Portuguese qualifier making his Grand Slam main-draw debut, pulled off one of the biggest surprises of this year’s French Open with his comeback victory over No. 19 seed Jakub Mensik of Czechia.

The 200th-ranked Porto native joined fellow countryman Nuno Borges in the third round – the first time two Portuguese players have made the third round at the same Grand Slam – after rallying from two sets down to beat Miami Open champion Mensik 2-6, 1-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in three hours and six minutes on Court 7.

Despite being outpointed 131-125, Rocha mustered 38 winners to overcome 47 unforced errors and withstood 45 winners from Mensik. He converted six of 11 break points.

The victory was Rocha’s second Top-20 win of his career and his second-straight five-set triumph after defeating Georgian qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili in the first round.

Next, Rocha will face No. 62 Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan, who pulled off an upset of his own in defeating ninth seed Alex de Minaur of Australia, 2-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2, in two hours and 52 minutes on Court 14.

It was Bublik’s first win over de Minaur after three straight losses – and he did it by hitting 51 overall winners – including 12 aces – while converting six of 14 break points. He was outpointed by de Minaur 130-128.

Bublik, who came in 0-4 in Roland-Garros second-round matches, has become the first player representing Kazakhstan to reach the men’s third round in Paris. He is now 11-24 against Top-10 opponents.

An American trio of Top-10 winners in Paris

An American trio – World No. 2 Coco Gauff, World No. 3 Jessica Pegula and World No. 8 Madison Keys – all ranked in the Top 10 – advanced to the third round. It’s the first time in 15 years that the United States has had two of the top three seeds in Paris. The last time? Think Venus and Serena Williams.

First, Pegula took out 55th-ranked Ann Li of the United States, 6-3, 7-6 (3), in one hour and 43 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier. A seven-time major quarterfinalist – including at Roland-Garros in 2022 – Pegula earned her 30th win of the season – second only to Aryna Sabalenka‘s 36 – and improved to 10-5 in Paris. She remained undefeated (9-0) against unseeded opponents after winning 74 percent of her first-serve points, hitting 24 winners and converting three of 10 break points. She outpointed Li 84-74.

On Saturday, Pegula will face 2019 French Open finalist Marketa Vondrousova of Czechia.

“It was a really tough match today,” Pegula said during her post-match interview. “Ann has been playing some really good tennis this year and had a lot of close matches with good players. It was tricky with the wind. She was slicing a lot, kind of making me earn a lot of points.

“I felt like it was a pretty physical match, a lot of long points and long games. But happy I was able to kind of hold on to that second set there definitely.”

Next, Gauff made quick work of her day on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. She needed just 75 minutes to defeat 172nd-ranked Czech qualifier Tereza Valentova, 6-2, 6-4, for her 13th win on clay this season. Although Gauff hit more double faults than aces – 6 to 2 – she struck 12 winners and converted eight of 13 break points. In a battle of former French Open junior girls’ champions, Gauff outpointed Valentova 63-48.

“I think overall it was fine, I think towards the end of the second set I could have been much more aggressive on the serve. The return game was pretty good,” Gauff said in her post-match remarks.

“She’s obviously a great young player. I knew it was going to be a tough match today.”

Gauff’s third-round opponent will be another Czech player, No. 47 Marie Bouzkova, who defeated No. 56 Sonay Kartal of Great Britain, 6-1, 6-4, in one hour and 38 minutes on Court 11.

Finally, Keys took her place on Court Philippe-Chatrier following the Richard Gasquet retirement ceremony, and dominated No. 38 Katie Boulter of Great Britain, 6-1, 6-3, in one hour and 19 minutes. The reigning Australian Open champion won 79 percent of her first-serve points, hit 20 winners to 10 for Boulter, made only 16 unforced errors compared 27, and benefited from nine double faults by the British No. 1. Keys outpointed Boulter 73-49.

“I usually just try to focus on myself and my side of the court,” Key said after the match. “Also, knowing that she’s going to hit some really great shots, she’s got a really good serve. I knew that some balls we’re going to go right past me today and you have to be OK with that.”

Keys said she enjoyed playing Boulter on Court Philippe-Chatrier. “I really love being here, playing here. It’s always such an honor to play on these biggest courts. It’s always a great day to get a result on this court.”

Next, Keys will play No. 31 seed Sofia Kenin of the United States, who eased past No. 75 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, 7-6 (5), 6-4, in one hour and 58 minutes on Court 14.

Around Stade Roland-Garros

• No. 14 seed Arthur Fils of France fought for four hours and 25 minutes on Court Suzanne-Lenglen – the second-longest match of the tournament – and by the end pulled out a five-set victory over No. 57 Jaume Munar of Spain. Fils, who jumped out to a two-sets-to-none lead, lost the next two sets to Munar before pulling out a 7-6 (3), 7-6 (4), 2-6, 0-6, 6-4 victory.

The 20-year-old Fils, who struggled physically at times during the third and fourth sets with a back injury, managed to hit 69 winners to overcome 84 unforced errors and converted five of 13 break points. By comparison, Munar hit 43 winners to 41 unforced errors. He outpointed Fils 173-158. Fils improved to 3-1 in five-set matches at the majors.

After shaking hands with Munar, Fils headed to the middle of the court where he tore off his shirt, raised his arms in victory and celebrated with the vocal French fans who filled Lenglen – many who chanted his name and held up tri-color French flags.

During his on-court interview, translated from French, Fils said: “Thank you, thank you for your support. … It all went well in the end.”

Next, Fils will play No. 17 seed Andrey Rublev of Russia, who reached the third round at Roland-Garros for the fifth time after defeating 91st-ranked Adam Walton of Australia, 7-6 (1), 6-1, 7-6 (5), in two hours and 23 minutes on Court 7.

• World No. 6 Mirra Andreeva of Russia, who need just 73 minutes to move into third round for the third time after defeating No. 35 Ashlyn Krueger of the United States, 6-3, 6-4, on Court Simonne-Mathieu. The 18-year-old Andreeva, who rallied from 3-1 down in the opening set, hit 18 winners, converted five of eight break points and outpointed Krueger 63-45.

“This match wasn’t easy,” Andreeva said during her on-court interview. “I lost to her at the US Open [last year], so I knew this match would be very tough. She’s a very powerful and aggressive player, so I knew I had to play very good today. I just tried to do everything I can. I suffered a little bit with my serve, but I’m happy I found a way in the end and I stayed calm.”

Next, Andreeva will face No. 32 seed Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan, who advanced over 175th-ranked qualifier Joanna Garland of Taiwan, 7-6 (5), 6-3, in an hour and 57 minutes on Court 13.

• Among other seeded men advancing were: No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev of Germany, who came from a set down against No. 88 Jesper de Jong of the Netherlands and won, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, in two hours and 58 minutes on Court Simonne-Mathieu. Zverev hit 43 winners and made 43 unforced errors. He converted seven of 13 break points and outpointed the Dutchman 127-96.

Next, Zverev will face No. 26 Flavio Cobolli of Italy, who defeated fellow Italian and 36th-ranked Matteo Arnaldi, 6-3, 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-1, in three hours and nine minutes on Court 6.

• No. 5 seed Jack Draper of Great Britain advanced to the third round at Roland-Garros for the first time after surviving a physical 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory over 42nd-ranked French fan favorite Gaël Monfils in three hours and 11 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier Thursday night.

Draper hit 59 winners to 33 unforced errors, compared to 45 winners and 46 unforced errors by Monfils. The British No. 1 converted seven of 22 break-point chances and outpointed Monfils 148-121.

It looked like Monfils was going to send the second-round match to a fifth set when he led 5-2 in the fourth and had two set points with Draper serving at 4-5. However, Draper pulled through and gutted out the victory by winning five straight games as midnight approached in Paris. The two – 23-year-old Draper and 38-year-old Monfils – shared a long embrace at the net and left the court together smiling.

Next, Draper will play 65th-ranked #NextGenATP star Joao Fonseca of Brazil, who he defeated in the opening round of Indian Wells en route to winning his first ATP Masters 1000 event. The 18-year-old Fonseca reached the third round of a major for the first time after beating 147th-ranked French wild card Pierre-Hugues Herbert, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4), 6-4, in two hours and 54 minutes on Court 14.

• No. 6 seed Novak Djokovic of Serbia, needed three hours and five minutes to defeat No. 73 Corentin Moutet of France, 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (3) on Court Suzanne-Lenglen to advance to the third round for the 20th time in his career. The three-time French Open champion improved to 12-0 against French opponents at Roland-Garros and he’s won six straight matches on clay, including his 100th tour-level title at Geneva last Saturday. Against Moutet, Djokovic hit 44 winners, converted five of 14 break points and outpointed his opponent 120-93.

Next, Djokovic will face 153rd-ranked qualifier Filip Misolic of Austria, who upset No. 27 seed Denis Shapovalov of Canada, in a five-set, thriller on Court 6. Misolic won, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6), 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, in four hours and 14 minutes. In a match that featured 352 points, Misolic struck 56 winners – including nine aces – made 48 unforced errors and converted five of 15 break points. By comparison, Shapovalov countered with 53 winners and 66 unforced errors. He converted six of 16 break points. Misolic outpointed the Canadian No. 2 182-170 to advance.

• Meanwhile, No. 22 seed Ugo Humbert of France retired from his second-round match against No. 55 Jacob Fearnley of Great Britain, trailing 6-3, 4-4 after one hour and 43 minutes on Court Simonne-Mathieu.

• Among other seeded women advancing were: No. 10 Paula Badosa of Spain, who rallied to beat No. 80 Elena-Gabriela Ruse of Romania, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, in two hours and 22 minutes on Court Simonne-Mathieu; No. 17 Daria Kasatkina of Australia, who upended 100th-ranked French wild card Leolia Jeanjean, 6-4, 6-2, in one hour and 39 minutes on Court Suzanne-Lenglen; and No. 20 Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia, who defeated No. 89 Elisabetta Cocciaretto of Italy, 6-1, 6-3, in 72 minutes on Court 6.

• Meanwhile, No. 15 seed Barbora Krejcikova of Czechia, who won the 2021 French Open title, fell to No. 46 Veronika Kudermetova of Russia, 6-0, 6-3, in 74 minutes on Court 14. Also, No. 25 Magdalena Frech of Poland was upset by 2019 French Open finalist Marketa Vondrousova of Czechia, now ranked 96th, 6-0, 4-6, 6-3, in two hours on Court 6.

Thursday’s Roland-Garros results

Friday’s Roland-Garros order of play

By the numbers

Italian qualifier Matteo Gigante garnered his first Top-20 win Wednesday at Roland-Garros, where he upset former finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, to reach the third round at a major for the first time.

Of significance, the 23-year-old Gigante of Rome has moved up 37 spots in the PIF ATP Live Rankings to No. 130 in advance of his third-round match against No. 13 seed Ben Shelton of the United States. As for Tsitsipas, who was seeded 20th, he has fallen to No. 25 in the Live Rankings and is set to drop out of the Top 20 for the first time since August 2018.

“I expected bigger things from myself these two weeks,” Tsitsipas said during his post-match news conference. “I seemed to be playing immature sometimes during the match.”

“Quotable …”

“I just love playing here. This place inspires me; it makes me work harder. I think for sure, having some time off before [Paris] helped me a little bit. I’m just ready to fight for it and compete.”

– Defending women’s champion Iga Swiatek of Poland, who has won four of the last five Roland-Garros singles titles, during her post-match interview after defeating Emma Raducanu of Great Britain for her 23rd straight French Open victory on Wednesday.

 

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