Jannik Sinner earned his second win at this year’s French Open and advanced to the third round after defeating Richard Gasquet.
Sinner is a heavy favourite to go all the way at Roland Garros and has got off to a hot start in his pursuit of a fourth Grand Slam title.
The world number one beat Gasquet 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 in the Frenchman’s final match of his career.
His victory follows Carlos Alcaraz’s triumph over Fabian Marozsan in the second round, as both continue their pursuit of the title.
As Alcaraz and Sinner march on in Paris, tennis legends Tim Henman and Chris Evert weighed in on both players and their chances to win the French Open.
Chris Evert pinpoints one area where Jannik Sinner is ahead of Carlos Alcaraz
Speaking on TNT Sports after Sinner’s victory, Henman said: “I think Alcaraz is the favourite, but let’s not forget this is only Sinner’s second tournament back.
“He missed three months for obvious reasons. Played really well to make the final in Rome, getting those matches under his belt, but then he did just look a little short of match play at that stage against Alcaraz.
“I think every time he wins a match, it’s a big step in the right direction because he’s getting more and more court time. But I still think Alcaraz is the clear favourite.”
Evert responded: “I also think Sinner is mentally the toughest player. I think he’s mentally a little tougher than Carlos.
“Because he doesn’t have as many options in his game, he does everything so well. He has full awareness of what his strengths and weaknesses are.
“He has strength, he has power, and as his coach Darren Cahill said, he’s learning about drop shots, he’s learning more about coming in. I think he’s learned a lot from that last match that he’s played [against Gasquet]”
Jannik Sinner becomes the youngest player since Rafael Nadal to achieve feat
With his win over Gasquet, Sinner has become the youngest player since Rafael Nadal to tally 16 or more consecutive wins in men’s singles at Grand Slams.
Nadal recorded 16 wins at majors in 2008, at 22 years and 83 days old, while Sinner has managed the feat at 23 years and 282 days.
In beating the crowd favourite, the Italian also became the first player in the Open Era to win his first 18 men’s singles matches against opponents at their home Grand Slam event.
Sinner’s next opponent comes in the form of Jiri Lehecka, who he has beaten twice, with both wins coming on hard court.
His rival Alcaraz, will face Bosnian Damir Dzumhur in the next round in a first career clash between the two.
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