Sinner stunned by Cerndolo in five-set collapse as Zverev eyes French Open final
Jannik Sinner’s bid for a maiden French Open title and a career Grand Slam collapsed on Thursday as the world number one succumbed to scorching 33°C heat and a dramatic five-set defeat to Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerúndolo in the second round at Roland Garros. After cruising through the opening two sets 6-3, 6-2 and holding a commanding 5-1 lead in the third, Sinner unravelled—dropping 11 of the next 13 games before medical treatment failed to stem his physical decline. The 28-year-old Italian ultimately fell 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1, ending a 30-match winning streak and leaving his rivals, including Alexander Zverev, with a golden opportunity to seize the trophy.
Cerúndolo, ranked 56th in the world, staged a remarkable comeback from two sets down, capitalising on Sinner’s visible distress as on-court temperatures soared. The Italian, who had dominated the clay season with titles in Madrid and Rome, called for medical attention mid-match but returned only to see his movement and precision evaporate. "The heat was insane," Sinner later admitted, though he stopped short of blaming conditions alone for his exit .
The defeat marks Sinner’s earliest exit at a Grand Slam since Wimbledon 2023 and hands Zverev, the 2024 French Open runner-up, an unexpected path to the final. Zverev, who has struggled with consistency this season, now faces no remaining top-10 opponents in his half of the draw, with only two seeds—both outside the top 20—standing between him and a potential third Roland Garros final . Cerúndolo, meanwhile, advances to the third round for the first time in his career, where he will face either France’s Arthur Fils or Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut.
Sinner’s exit underscores the brutal toll of Parisian heat, which has already forced organisers to implement new protocols, including extended breaks and mandatory ice baths for players. While the Italian had prepared meticulously for the conditions, his body betrayed him at the critical juncture, raising questions about his ability to peak in future majors under extreme weather. With Wimbledon just five weeks away, Sinner’s team will need to reassess his summer schedule to avoid a repeat of this meltdown—both literal and figurative.
Articles
Jannik Sinner succumbs to heat in shocking French Open second round loss Heat gets to tournament favourite.
thejournal · about 4 hours ago
Hampered Sinner out in second round in seismic shock Jannik Sinners hopes of winning a first French Open to complete a career Grand Slam are over for another year after an injury-hampered five-set defeat by Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the second round.
bbc · about 5 hours ago
Sinner shocked in French Open exit as Cerundolo recovers from two-sets down World number one Jannick Sinner beaten by 56th-ranked Argentinian opponent Juan Manuel Cerundolo at Roland Garros.
aljazeera · about 5 hours ago
Sinner crashes out of French Open after wilting in 33C heat against Cerúndolo Italians dream of career slam goes up in smokeWorld No 1 fades after on-court temperatures soarJannik Sinners bid for a maiden French Open title and career grand slam went up in smoke as he wilted in his second-round match against Juan Manuel Cerúndolo and fell to a 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 defeat on a scorching Thursday.Sinner won the opening two sets with ease 6-3, 6-2 and was up 5-1 in the third set before dropping three games and asking for medical treatment off the court, only to lose two straight sets before going down in the decider. Continue reading...
theguardian · about 5 hours ago
Sensations-Aus in Paris: Die Hitze bleibt Jannik Sinners größter Feind [premium] Nach 30 Siegen in Folge scheitert Topfavorit Jannik Sinner in fünf Sätzen am Argentinier Juan Manuel Cerundolo – und seinem eigenen Körper.
die presse · about 5 hours ago
French Open: Jannik Sinner scheidet in Paris in zweiter Runde aus Der Erste der Tennisweltrangliste muss bei den French Open überraschend nach Runde zwei abreisen. Jannik Sinner unterlag bei großer Hitze dem Argentinier Cerúndolo.
die zeit · about 5 hours ago
Jannik Sinner scheidet bei French Open in zweiter Runde aus
die zeit · about 5 hours ago
Drama um Topfavorit: Jannik Sinner bei French Open sensationell ausgeschieden Jannik Sinner war der haushohe Favorit in Paris. Doch in Runde zwei plagen den Italiener in großer Hitze körperliche Probleme. Unter anderem Alexander Zverev bietet sich nun eine historische Chance.
faz · about 5 hours ago
Sinner eliminated from French Open under scorching temperatures Top-ranked tennis player Jannik Sinner was eliminated from the French Open Thursday after visibly struggling with the sweltering heat in his match against Argentine opponent Juan Manuel Cerundolo.
france24 · about 5 hours ago
French Open 2026: Sinner stunned by Cerúndolo after wilting in brutal heat: day five updates – live Updates from the fifth days play at Roland Garros Mensik: playing in Paris heat insane | Mail DanielBack with Kouame, hes up advantage, takes control of the next rally, and a deep backhand incites Vallejo to net on the forehand! The 17-year-old takes the first set 6-3, with two breaks, and Lenglen is jumping!Kouame holds for 5-3, then makes 30-40 and set point; Vallejo saves it well, serving out wide then putting away a shoulder-high volley. But hes soon down advantage, Kouame missing his backhand down the line to restore deuce, but Vallejo shanks his forehand so back round we go. Meantime, Jovic outlasts Navarro in a protracted game on 14, taking her sixth break point to leads 6-0 2-0. Shes taking an experienced top-10 talent to the absolute cleaners. Continue reading...
theguardian · about 5 hours ago