French Open 2024: Jannik Sinner 'can improve a couple of things' but pleased with form after Richard Gasquet win

ByAlasdair Mackenzie

Published 29/05/2024 at 22:14 GMT

Jannik Sinner made short work of French Open favourite Richard Gasquet as he brushed aside the veteran in straight sets to reach the third round. The second seed cruised through a second consecutive match but believes he "can improve a couple of things" as he bids to win back-to-back Grand Slam titles after clinching his maiden Slam in Australia at the start of the season.

Jannik Sinner was pleased with his progress but said there was room to “improve a couple of things” after cruising past home favourite Richard Gasquet to reach the French Open third round.

The world No. 2, bidding for a second consecutive major victory following his maiden Grand Slam triumph in Australia in January, was largely untroubled by the veteran Frenchman in a 6-4 6-2 6-4 win.

For Sinner, it was a second comfortable win in a row after his win over Christopher Eubanks as he continued an encouraging start despite concerns over a recent hip injury.

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“For sure better than the first match. We try to keep practising and improve day by day," Sinner said after the match.

"I know I can improve a couple of things. I’m looking forward to it. It’s a very special tournament for me so hopefully I can show some good tennis."

Gasquet, 37, produced some moments of vintage class but couldn’t truly threaten the Italian as he bowed out of his 21st and potentially final Roland-Garros.

“As a player he gave and still gives so much to tennis, it’s so nice to have him around,” Sinner said of the Frenchman.

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“I wish him the best for the rest of the season. He’s still playing incredible tennis."

There was little to split the players in the opening stages, but Sinner moved up a gear in game seven to break for a 4-3 lead as Gasquet double-faulted at the worst possible moment, handing the Italian the chance to consolidate before serving out the opening set.  

Things went from bad to worse for a home crowd hoping to see one last hurrah from their local hero when Gasquet’s serve was broken in the opening game of a one-sided second set.

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There were groans from the Philippe-Chatrier masses when Sinner sealed the double break at 4-1, and the world No. 2 coasted home from there to go one set from victory.

Sinner again pounced early in the third, breaking Gasquet in the opening game once more, but this time the Frenchman returned fire as he took the first of his two break points for the night to level things up at 2-2.

That got the crowd back on their feet, but they weren’t there for long as Sinner showed his champion quality by immediately restoring his break advantage in the following game.

From there, the Italian did what he needed to do, staying strong in his service games to avoid any wobbles and close out a routine straight-sets win in two hours and 15 minutes.

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You can watch every day of the 2024 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+.

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