No third miracle at the Palais omnisports de Bercy (12th arrondissement).
Gilles Simon, 37, has this time well and truly played the last match of his beautiful and long career.
The former world number six surrendered this Thursday afternoon against the young Félix Auger-Aliassime (22) to an incredible ovation (6-1, 6-3).
This round of 16 Masters 1000 will remain as the last outing of a French tennis personality.
He has traveled the planet for nearly twenty years, including two Grand Slam quarter-finals (Melbourne 2009, Wimbledon 2015) and a victory in the Davis Cup (2017).
Could he dream of a nicer farewell?
Six months after the retirement of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gillou dazzled the Parisian public all this beginning of the week.
The 188th player in the world first beat another veteran, Andy Murray, who was one of his executioners on the circuit.
We thought the adventure was already too beautiful.
However, he extended it on Wednesday evening after a fabulous fight against Taylor Fritz (11th in the world).
This Thursday again, and despite the fatigue, Gilles Simon did Gilles Simon, and for tennis lovers, that means a lot.
More information to follow.