Richard Gasquet without solution against world number 2, Jannik Sinner

The Frenchman, who was playing his 21st Roland-Garros, was beaten in the second round on Wednesday evening.

The blue sky definitely did not appear at Porte d’Auteuil, Wednesday May 29. Like Caroline Garcia earlier in the day, Richard Gasquet was eliminated in the second round at Roland-Garros, soundly defeated by Jannik Sinner in three sets (6-4, 6-2, 6-4) and barely more than two hours of play, in the last match to have started on a day marked by rain and postponements of matches. Mdespite the noisy support of a short Philippe-Chatrier totally committed to his cause, the Biterrois was unable to do anything against the solidity and accuracy of his opponent, who continues to reassure himself after a month without competition.

The Frenchman, who had fought for almost three and a half hours in the first round against Borna Coric, held the rank of his opponent, world number 2, for half of the first round, before gradually losing his footing. Broken in three games everywhere, he was unable to catch up, despite great resistance in the decisive moments and three set points dismissed.

Dominated by the Italian’s technique, who relied a lot on drop shots (9) when he felt the Frenchman was off balance, Richard Gasquet was never really able to make an impact in the match. Caught on his entry serve in the second set, he suffered the games which passed at full speed in favor of Jannik Sinner, winner of the set in just over half an hour. Formidable on serve (80% of points won on the first ball), the Italian took the game into his own hands (twice as many winning shots) and flew onto the scoreboard.

Back against the wall, Richard Gasquet delayed the deadline in the third set and capsized his supporters by recovering a new break conceded at the start, or in an extended tie to return to 5-4. But not enough to overthrow the world number 2, who concluded on his second match point in front of an agitated audience.

Qualified without trembling for the third round, after two serious victories in three sets, Jannik Sinner now has an appointment with the Russian Pavel Kotov or the former winner of the tournament Stan Wawrinka. For his 21st Roland-Garros, Richard Gasquet, still unclear about his future on the circuit but thanked by “Thank you Richard” of the entire public as he leaves the court, stops in the second round, which he has not completed since 2018.