'Beautiful draw': Retiring Gasquet meets Sinner in French Open swansong

PARIS : The second round continues at the French Open on Thursday with world number one Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic taking on Frenchmen Richard Gasquet and Corentin Moutet, respectively, while women's second seed Coco Gauff is also in action.

TOP MEN'S MATCH: SINNER V GASQUET

In a repeat of last year's second-round match, Sinner will play Gasquet but there will not be a third time as the 38-year-old Frenchman is retiring after the tournament, bringing down the curtain on a glorious 23-year career.

Gasquet made his Grand slam debut at the age of 15 at Roland Garros and the former world number seven - who has played more than 1,000 career matches and appeared at every French Open since 2010 - is preparing for his final bow.

Sinner beat him in straight sets last year en route to the world number one ranking and Gasquet feels like the writing is on the wall after recovering from tearing his calf twice ahead of his final tournament.

"At the end of your career, for your last match, you couldn't dream better than playing the world number one," said Gasquet, once dubbed the "Mozart of Tennis" for his graceful yet effortless style of play.

"He won't be the easiest one to beat but it's a beautiful draw and it would be a pleasure."

The French crowd will understandably be in the veteran's corner on Court Philippe-Chatrier but that does not bother Sinner, who understands that home court advantage will play its part.

"It's definitely going to be different, I know that. But I don't think they have something against me, no? It's right that they support the players who are from here," said the Italian, who beat France's Arthur Rinderknech in the first round.

"Last year I played also against some French players here. So I know a little bit