Top-ranked Jannik Sinner collapses in scorching heat, exits French Open in stunning second-round upset
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner suffered a physical breakdown under intense Paris heat, losing to Juan Manuel Cerundolo after leading two sets to love and seeing his 30-match winning streak snapped.
A stunning collapse
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, on a 30-match winning streak and the overwhelming favorite with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz absent due to a wrist injury, was sensationally knocked out of the French Open in the second round. The Italian led Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo by two sets and 5-1 in the third before his body gave out. Sinner lost 18 consecutive points and eventually succumbed 6-3, 6-2, 5-7, 1-6, 1-6 after 3 hours and 36 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier.
The heat factor
Temperatures soared to around 30°C at match start and climbed to near 40°C according to some reports. Sinner, who has a history of struggling in high heat, began cramping and feeling dizzy late in the third set. He resorted to drop shots and serve-and-volley to shorten points but could barely move. At 5-4 he took a medical timeout, telling officials he was dizzy. During changeovers he used a hand-held fan and ice packs, but his condition worsened.
I’m dizzy.
Cerundolo capitalizes
Cerundolo, ranked 56th, seized his opportunity ruthlessly. After Sinner failed to serve out the match at 5-2, the Argentine won the third set and never looked back. Sinner won only two of the last 19 games. Cerundolo converted his first match point to complete a dramatic turnaround that instantly became one of the biggest upsets in recent Grand Slam history.
- Sinner wins first two sets 6-3, 6-2.
- Sinner leads 5-1 in third set.
- Sinner loses 18 consecutive points.
- Medical timeout taken at 5-4; Sinner says he is dizzy.
- Cerundolo wins third set 7-5.
- Sinner struggles physically, loses fourth set 6-1.
- Cerundolo clinches match 6-1 in fifth set after 3h36m.
Title race blown open
The result dramatically reshapes the men’s draw. Alexander Zverev, who had lost his last nine meetings with Sinner, now sees his path to a maiden Grand Slam title significantly cleared. Sinner’s bid for a career Grand Slam must wait at least another year.
