PARIS : Title favourite Jannik Sinner crashed out of the French Open in a stunning second-round defeat on Thursday as the Italian struggled physically in a five-set loss to Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo.
Sinner, chasing a maiden Roland Garros crown and a career Grand Slam, looked firmly in control before fading badly in scorching conditions to lose 3-6 2-6 7-5 6-1 6-1 on Court Philippe Chatrier.
The world number one arrived in Paris in dominant form after winning claycourt titles in Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome, while defending champion Carlos Alcaraz was sidelined through injury and Novak Djokovic had yet to hit top gear.
But Cerundolo produced the tournament’s biggest shock so far, recovering from two sets down after Sinner began struggling physically late in the third set.
“It’s tough for him. He was winning the match,” Cerundolo said. “I think he was cramping maybe, or maybe it was the pressure of the match, I don’t know. But of course I feel sorry for him.”
With temperatures climbing above 30 degrees Celsius, Sinner appeared comfortable early on and surged into a 5-1 lead in the third set after dominating the opening two.
The momentum shifted dramatically when the Italian halted play while serving at 5-4, later telling an official he felt dizzy and nauseous before leaving court for a medical timeout.
Sinner returned but immediately lost serve and dropped the next two games to surrender the set, allowing Cerundolo to seize control.
The four-times Grand Slam champion continued to struggle physically, clutching his right thigh as Cerundolo grew in confidence and powered through the final two sets.
Sinner’s exit leaves Roland Garros without its leading contender and hands Djokovic a major opportunity to pursue a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.
