Del Potro plays the role of career closer, again

On Thursday, Julien Benneteau played his last match at Roland Garros. The Frenchman, who is retiring at the end of the year, fell in straight sets to No. 5 seed Juan Martin del Potro.

It's not the first time Del Potro has applauded a retiring foe he just toppled. The Argentinian has dashed the hopes of a fairytale ending for retiring players a couple of times in the past. In 2009, dDl Potro—the newly crowned US Open champion—defeated two-time major winner Marat Safin in the round of 32 at the Paris Masters tournament. That match was Safin's last.

At the 2012 US Open, Del Potro was the last opponent of another of the game’s all-time greats, Andy Roddick. He beat the American in the round of 16, effectively ending his career.

If a player has to lose a final match, it’s hard to imagine a more gracious conqueror than the Tower from Tandil, who has shown the utmost respect to his opponent and makes sure the crowd can share their appreciation, too.

Follow Van on Twitter: @Van_Sias

—Tennis Channel Plus features up to 10 courts of live action from Roland Garros beginning Sunday, May 27 at 5:00am ET.

—Catch up and watch all your favorite stars anytime on-demand with Tennis Channel Plus.