Jannik Sinner created two pieces of history with his dominant victory over Richard Gasquet.
The world number one dispatched his veteran opponent 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 as he reached the third round of the French Open in straight sets.
GettySinner saw off Gasquet in straight sets at the French Open[/caption]
GettyThe Frenchman will retire following the tournament[/caption]
It also brings down the curtain on Gasquet’s career, with the Frenchman retiring after the tournament.
The former world number seven retires aged 38 after winning 16 titles in his career.
Following the match, Sinner paid tribute to Gasquet during his on-court interview.
He explained: “Congrats for everything you have done, an amazing career, but most importantly an amazing person.”
By beating Gasquet on home soil, Sinner extended his stunning record against opponents playing in their home Grand Slam.
The 23-year-old has now won 18 out of 18 matches against players competing in their home Slam.
He is the first male player to achieve the feat in the Open Era.
Meanwhile, Sinner has now won 16 consecutive men’s singles matches at Grand Slam events.
His winning run stretches back to a quarter-final defeat to Daniil Medvedev at Wimbledon last summer.
Sinner has since won both the US Open and Australian Open before winning his first two matches at Roland Garros.
GettySinner is the first player to win their first 18 matches against rivals in their home Slam[/caption]
GettyThe world number one could break another record if he reaches the final in Paris[/caption]
At 23 years and 282 days, the Italian is the youngest player to win 16 matches in a row since Rafael Nadal in 2008.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion was aged 22 years and 83 days at the time on his way to a run of 19 straight victories.
Those wins stretched from the first round of the French Open to the US Open semi-final.
Sinner will equal Nadal’s record if he makes the last four in Paris next week.
Meanwhile, he can break the record outright by reaching the final on June 8.
His current career best performance at the French Open was a run to the semi-finals last year.
The top seed will be back in action on Saturday against Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic.
A clash with either Andrey Rublev or Arthur Fils awaits the winner in the last 16.
