In a rematch of last year's second-round contest at the French Open, Jannik Sinner could be Richard Gasquet's final opponent in the Frenchman's career on Thursday.
The veteran is retiring after his home Grand Slam and must find solutions against his well-rounded opponent to snap a losing streak in this matchup and extend his Roland Garros involvement.
Match preview
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Just when Sinner seemed to have quietened the home crowd inside Court Philippe-Chatrier on Monday night by claiming the opening two sets, Arthur Rinderknech surged to a 4-0 and 5-2 advantage, teasing a possible fourth set.
However, the top seed, down a double break, rallied to win five consecutive games and secure a 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 victory against the home player.
That success means Sinner has secured 15 consecutive Grand Slam victories since losing to Daniil Medvedev at Wimbledon last year, an outstanding sequence for the world No. 1, who is bidding to claim the biggest clay title of his career.
While sterner tests lie ahead, the leading player on the tour must address questions regarding his level after returning from a three-month suspension prior to the Rome Masters earlier this month.
Having mostly kept the home crowd quiet, save for when Rinderknech rallied in set three, Sinner will anticipate a more one-sided support for his opponent on Thursday when he faces the 16-time ATP champion.
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Gasquet enters his second-round match after triumphing in his four-setter against countryman Terence Atmane, overpowering the wild card 6-2, 2-6, 6-3, 6-0.
Monday's success marked the Frenchman's 31st career victory in Paris, moving him clear of his 30 US Open wins and level with his 31 triumphs at Wimbledon.
Aiming for a 32nd victory in his swansong event at Roland Garros demands a stirring performance against the top-ranked player in the draw, and it remains to be seen whether Gasquet, who has not advanced beyond the second round at this event since 2018, can deliver what is required to upset Sinner.
Adding to those doubts is the 38-year-old's 4-4 record for the season, significantly inferior to his opponent, who enters the second-round contest at 13-1 this year.
If Thursday proves to be Gasquet's final appearance on Philippe-Chatrier, fans present will leave with memories of the 2016 quarter-finalist's picture-perfect one-handed backhand and elegant tennis on the court.
Tournament so far
Jannik Sinner:
First round: vs. Arthur Rinderknech 6-4 6-3 7-5
Richard Gsquet:
First round: vs. Terence Atmane 6-2 2-6 6-3 6-0
Head To Head
French Open (2024) - Second round: Sinner 6-4 6-2 6-4
Halle (2023) - Third round: Sinner 6-3 5-7 6-2
Indian Wells (2023) - Second round: Sinner 6-3 7-6(2)
Sinner unsurprisingly leads his head-to-head against Gasquet 3-0 heading into their fourth matchup on the ATP Tour.
Further highlighting the Italian player's dominance in this encounter is the fact that only one set has been dropped in the previous eight meetings between the two men.
The world No. 166's recent record against top-10 players is markedly underwhelming, as evidenced by a 1-8 record in such matches, claiming his only victory against Stefanos Tsitsipas in Stuttgart two years ago.
We say: Sinner to win in three sets
While Gasquet will undoubtedly have fans in his corner in the second-round contest, the Frenchman's inability to defeat elite opponents is a concern against the top seed.
Sinner, who won this contest fairly comfortably 12 months ago, is expected to secure another triumph in straight sets, thereby bringing an end to the home player's 23-year professional career.
