PARIS -- World No. 1 Jannik Sinner sent Frenchman Richard Gasquet into retirement Thursday with a 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 hammering in the battle of generations at the French Open to ease into the third round.
It was the second time in as many years in Paris that the 23-year-old Sinner beat local hero Gasquet, who said he would end a career that began over two decades ago and yielded 16 tour-level singles titles after his home Grand Slam.
"It's obviously a very special place for me to play and against Richard. We played last year too. It's very tough, but I'm happy to be in the third round," Sinner said. "I think we have a good relationship off the court. We're different generations, but it's his moment now. Congratulations on your career, you gave so much to fans. ... You played in a great era, and everyone will remember you.
"You had an amazing career, but you're also an amazing person."
Despite the gravity of the loss, Gasquet was gracious in defeat.
"I couldn't dream of a better ending than having my last match on this court," Gasquet said following the loss on Court Philippe-Chatrier. "I will keep loving tennis until the end of my life."
The 38-year-old Frenchman, who made his French Open debut in 2002 when top seed Sinner was still in a crib, drew huge roars from the home crowd when he unleashed his single-handed backhand on the Italian early in the match.
Fans were slightly more subdued when Sinner raced ahead 4-1 and won the opening set, before they were almost silenced when he dished out a bagel in the next set to leave Gasquet with a mountain to climb.
Sinner faced more resistance in the first eight games of the next set as Gasquet mounted an unlikely comeback attempt, but he broke for a 5-4 lead and promptly closed out the match.
Rafael Nadal, who retired in November, paid tribute to Gasquet in a post on his social media channels, which featured photos of the pair through the years.
"Since we were kids we have shared so many moments together on and off the court. Hundreds of tournaments, cities, matches," Nadal, the 14-time French Open champion, wrote. "Throughout your great career your talent has been recognized worldwide and I am happy that today you were able to say goodbye to tennis in such a special place as (Roland-Garros). I wish you all the best in the future!"
Other winners Thursday in the men's bracket included No. 3 Alexander Zverev and No. 14 Arthur Fils, while 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic took a medical timeout to deal with a bothersome toe but eliminated Corentin Moutet in three sets.
Information from Reuters and The Associated Press was used in this report.