'Perfect end': Richard Gasquet bows out in Paris after loss to Jannik Sinner

Paris: Jannik Sinner ended Richard Gasquet’s long and storied career with a commanding 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 win on Court Philippe Chatrier on Thursday, sending the Frenchman into retirement after his 22nd and final French Open appearance.

The 38-year-old Gasquet, a fan favourite in Paris and the winningest Frenchman in the Open era with 610 career victories, was no match for the world No 1, who wrapped up the second-round clash in under two hours.

But while the scoreboard was one-sided, the post-match scenes were anything but routine. The crowd rose in unison to salute Gasquet, who was visibly moved during a tribute video featuring career highlights and messages from Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

Gasquet called it the “perfect end” to his career, grateful for the chance to bow out on home soil against the world’s best.

“I’m very happy to finish my career and not to be massacred completely,” he said, smiling. “I’m happy to have not finished on a ridiculous note.

“I’ve still got a lot of pain. I’m quite tired. But I know that I have a good life, I’m going to be able to do other things. I’m not suffering.”

Gasquet reached three Grand Slam semi-finals during his career and made the French Open quarter-finals in 2016 — his best showing at Roland Garros.

Sinner, who returned to action earlier this month after a three-month doping ban and reached the final in Rome, showed sharp form again as he set up a third-round meeting with Czech Jiri Lehecka.

But the Italian was quick to deflect attention from his own ambitions, using his on-court interview to honour Gasquet.

“Thank you for being very fair with me today, I know what was at stake… It’s your moment,” Sinner told the crowd. “Congrats on an amazing career.”

The 23-year-old added: “He played in an era where it was very difficult to play, because he played against maybe the best era ever in tennis. He achieved some incredible results, incredibly talented player. Amazing to share this moment with him.”

While Gasquet’s career draws to a close, Sinner continues his quest to become the first Italian man to win the French Open since 1976. But on Thursday evening in Paris, the spotlight belonged to the man who had played the long game — and finished it on his own terms.