Jannik Sinner suffered a stunning collapse at the French Open on Thursday after appearing to be affected by heat-related illness and cramps, allowing Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo to produce a remarkable comeback and send the world No. 1 out of Roland Garros in the second round. Sinner had been in complete control when he led by two sets and 5-1 in the third, but he suddenly lost his rhythm and movement, dropped 18 consecutive points, and called for a medical timeout after telling officials he felt dizzy. He also needed treatment and briefly left the court at Court Philippe Chatrier as temperatures climbed to 32C in Paris.
After returning to the match, Sinner could not recover physically and eventually fell 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1. Cerundolo, ranked world No. 56, capitalized on the Italian’s fading condition to complete one of the biggest shocks of recent tennis seasons. The Argentine said he felt sorry for Sinner and suggested the pressure and physical strain may have played a role in the collapse. The defeat ended Sinner’s 30-match winning streak, which had included titles in Rome, Madrid, Monte Carlo, Miami, and Indian Wells, and marked his earliest Grand Slam exit since the 2023 French Open.
The extreme heat has disrupted play throughout the tournament, with Czech player Jakub Mensik collapsing from cramps after his win on Wednesday and Novak Djokovic calling for matches to be scheduled later in the day. Sinner’s exit leaves the men’s draw wide open and delays his chance to complete a career Grand Slam until at least next year, when rival Carlos Alcaraz is expected to return from injury.
Elsewhere in the men’s draw, Italy’s Flavio Cobolli, the 10th seed, advanced to the third round for the second straight year with a straight-sets win over China’s Wu Yibing. He will next face American Learner Tien, who battled back from two sets to one down to defeat Argentina’s Facundo Diaz Acosta in five sets.
In the women’s draw, Naomi Osaka moved into the third round at Roland Garros for the first time in seven years after beating Croatia’s Donna Vekic in straight sets. The four-time Grand Slam champion will now meet American teenager Iva Jovic, who also impressed with a dominant victory over compatriot Emma Navarro. Osaka said the match was difficult, but she was pleased to finish it in two sets.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is scheduled to play France’s Elsa Jacquemot and will aim to avoid a similar shock, while defending champion Coco Gauff is set to face Egyptian qualifier Mayar Sherif as the tournament continues under hot and demanding conditions in Paris.
