Sinner sends Gasquet into retirement in straight sets

World number one Jannik Sinner sent Frenchman Richard Gasquet into retirement with a 6-3 6-0 6-4 hammering in the battle of generations at the French Open to ease into the third round.

It was the second time in as many years in Paris that the 23-year-old beat local hero Gasquet, who said he would end a career, which began over two decades ago and yielded 16 tour-level singles titles, after his home Grand Slam.

"It's obviously a very special place for me to play and against Richard. We played last year too. It's very tough but I'm happy to be in the third round," Sinner said.

"I think we have a good relationship off the court, we're different generations but it's his moment now. Congratulations on your career, you gave so much to fans... you played in a great era and everyone will remember you.

"You had an amazing career, but you're also an amazing person."

The 38-year-old Gasquet, who made his French Open debut in 2002 when top seed Sinner was still in a crib, drew huge roars from the Court Philippe Chatrier crowd when he unleashed his single-handed backhand on the Italian early in the match.

Fans were slightly more subdued when Sinner raced ahead 4-1 and won the opening set, before they were almost silenced when he dished out a bagel in the next set to leave Gasquet with a mountain to climb.

Sinner faced more resistance in the first eight games of the next set as Gasquet mounted an unlikely comeback attempt, but he broke for a 5-4 lead and promptly closed out the match.

Third seed Alexander Zverev (above) had to chase down dozens of drop shots from sprightly Dutchman Jesper de Jong before earning a 3-6 6-1 6-2 6-3 victory to advance to the French Open third round.

The 28-year-old Zverev, a finalist in Paris last year and looking for his first Grand Slam title, found himself a break down with De Jong, ranked 88th in the world, initially matching the German's baseline power punch for punch.

De Jong, bidding to become the first Dutch player to record a win over a top-three player on any clay tournament in 25 years, quickly added drop shots to his arsenal to land the first set.

"It wasn't the best set of tennis, the first," Zverev said in a post-match interview. "I am still having chances not playing great. Once I found my rhythm I felt very comfortable."

"I am happy about my level. He played a fantastic match also. I hope I can continue playing great tennis and we will see what I can achieve."

At least a semi-finalist in the past four French Opens, Zverev remained composed and twice broke his opponent to bag the second set.

De Jong, however, increased his drop shot rate dramatically -- even hitting three on consecutive points in the first game of the third set -- to force the tall Zverev out of his comfort zone at the baseline.

The world number three gradually adapted to this play, however, chasing down drop shot number 26 to earn a break point at 2-2 in the third set. He converted it to take control and never looked back.

With De Jong gradually running out of steam and his error count rising sharply, Zverev powered to two more breaks and a 4-0 lead to break his opponent's resistance and he sealed the win when De Jong sank another drop shot into the net.

Zverev will next play the winner of the all-Italian clash between Matteo Arnaldi and Flavio Cobolli.

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