Italy’s three-time major winner Sinner extended his winning streak against players ranked outside the top 20 to 63 matches.

In doing so, he brought an end to Gasquet’s playing career, 23 years after the 38-year-old made his Roland Garros debut.

Sinner claimed a commanding 6-3 6-0 6-4 win over Gasquet but the day was still Gasquet’s, with the Frenchman addressing the adoring crowd and accepting a commemorative trophy.

“I’ve thought a lot about this day, you hope it never comes, but today is it,” Gasquet said.

“I can’t dream of anything better than standing on this incredible court, the most beautiful court in the world.”

Later in the day, 38-year-old Serb Djokovic continued his recent good form with a 6-3 6-2 7-6 (7-1) victory against France’s Moutet.

Djokovic came to Roland Garros, where he is a three-time champion, on the back of winning his 100th ATP singles title in Geneva last week and maintained his good from against Moutet, winning in just over three hours.

The only potential blip for Djokovic was having to receive treatment on the toes of his left foot in the third set, but he appeared to shrug it off by recovering to win the match on a tie-break.

He will face either Canadian 27th seed Denis Shapovalov or Austria’s Filip Misolic in the third round.