Jannik Sinner vs. Richard Gasquet
At the prestigious French Open, Jannik Sinner is gearing up to face Richard Gasquet, who is set to retire after this tournament. This match marks another chapter in Sinner’s impressive season, having already claimed victory in two Grand Slam titles and three of his last five attempts. As the top-seeded player, Sinner’s ongoing campaign includes a noteworthy showdown against the 38-year-old Gasquet, who will be competing at Roland Garros for the final time, making it his 22nd appearance at the event.
“I know the crowd will be rooting for him, and that’s completely fine by me,” Sinner acknowledged after his first-round win over Arthur Rinderknech. “I’m thrilled to be sharing the court with such a legend.”
The 23-year-old Italian recently returned from a three-month suspension, and despite showing some signs of rust in his initial match, he is eager to capitalize on his previous experience. Sinner’s comeback included an impressive run to the finals at the Italian Open, where he faced reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Novak Djokovic’s Campaign
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic, who is seeking a fourth title at the French Open and is currently the sixth seed, began his campaign with a decisive opening round. Having recently clinched his 100th ATP title, Djokovic expressed uncertainty about his remaining opportunities in Grand Slam events.
“I’m not sure how many more Grand Slams I have left in me,” he admitted, highlighting the importance of dedicated preparation for sustaining his high level of play.
Djokovic’s next challenge comes from French player Corentin Moutet, a matchup he is approaching with caution.
Women’s Draw Highlights
In the women’s draw, second-seed Coco Gauff aims to advance past the second round, overcoming an amusing mishap where she arrived at her first match without racquets, which she claimed surprisingly helped her relax. Gauff will be facing Tereza Valentova in her next match, hoping to break her title drought since the WTA Finals.
Similarly, 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva, a rising star in women’s tennis, is making her mark after a thrilling semi-final run at last year’s French Open. She will compete against Ashlyn Krueger, following her success in Dubai and Indian Wells earlier this season.
Additionally, third seed Jessica Pegula is set to square off against fellow American Ann Li, while Madison Keys will take on Britain’s Katie Boulter. Other notable players including past champions Marketa Vondrousova, Victoria Azarenka, Sofia Kenin, and Barbora Krejcikova will also be competing on the courts Thursday, adding to an exciting day of matches.
