Heat, Injury, and Collapse: Jannik Sinner’s Roland Garros Dream Ends Early

Sinner’s French Open collapse hands Cerundolo biggest career win

World No. 56 Juan Manuel Cerundolo rallied from two sets down to defeat clay-court favorite Jannik Sinner in a dramatic second-round upset at Roland Garros.

After dominating the first two sets, Jannik Sinner faded in the Paris heat and lost to Juan Manuel Cerundolo, blowing his chance at a first French Open title...

Jannik Sinner’s run at Roland Garros ended abruptly after he was undone by the heat and Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the second round. Chasing his first French Open and a career Grand Slam, Sinner battled physical problems before falling 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 on a stifling Thursday.

Sinner came into Paris as the title favorite following clay-court wins in Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome. With defending champion Carlos Alcaraz out injured and Novak Djokovic still searching for form, the path looked open for the Italian.

Cerundolo ripped up the script in a wild contest, staying composed as Sinner unraveled late while closing in on victory. The upset sent shockwaves through Roland Garros and ended last year’s runner-up’s campaign earlier than anyone expected.

When temperatures pushed past 30°C in the afternoon, Sinner had already taken the opening set with a single break and looked completely in control. The 24-year-old Italian appeared to be coasting through the match.

Cerundolo started pushing back late in the second set, but the world No. 56 still faced a steep uphill climb. Sinner crushed a forehand winner to grab a two-set lead, having dropped just five games up to that point.

During the changeover, the four-time Grand Slam winner used an ice towel to cool down and came out firing in the third set, racing to a 5-1 lead against the unseeded Argentine. But his energy faded, and he stopped play while serving at 5-4.

Juan Manuel Cerundolo is through to the next round after a five-set win over a physically diminished Jannik Sinner!#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/f75HkZrTK1

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 28, 2026

Sinner came back from a five-minute off-court medical timeout and was broken right away to make it 5-5. He then lost the next two games, handing the set to Cerundolo, who sensed an opening for a major upset.

 

Shocking scenes in Paris 😮 #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/mN2tpIdiNg

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) May 28, 2026

Still visibly off, Sinner let the fourth set slip away with little resistance. He was broken early in the fifth, and Cerundolo capitalized to send the tournament’s top favorite packing.