Sinner French Open Exit: Heat Collapse Ends 30-Match Streak | allfacts360
Sinner Suffers Heat Collapse, Stunned by Cerundolo in French Open Second Round
Paris, 28 May 2026
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Summary
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner suffered a dramatic physical collapse in the Paris heat, losing to Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the second round of the French Open. The defeat ends Sinner's 30-match winning streak and reshapes the tournament's title race.
Paris, 28 May 2026
Top seed Jannik Sinner suffered a stunning second-round exit at the French Open on Thursday, collapsing physically in the sweltering Paris heat to lose 6-3, 6-2, 5-7, 1-6, 1-6 to Argentina's Juan Manuel Cerundolo.
The world number one had appeared to be cruising into the third round on Court Philippe Chatrier, winning the first two sets comfortably and leading 5-1 in the third. But as temperatures soared above 30 degrees Celsius, the 24-year-old Italian began to show alarming signs of physical distress.
Sinner, who had won his last 30 matches, suddenly lost 15 consecutive points and was barely able to move. At 5-4 and 0-40 down in the third set, he requested a medical timeout, telling a physiotherapist he felt "very dizzy."
A Sudden Physical Collapse
Former Wimbledon finalist Philipp Kohlschreiber, commentating for Eurosport, described the scene as deeply troubling. "It must be really extremely bad, he's not moving a millimeter anymore," Kohlschreiber said. "The way he's been dragging himself around and tormenting himself for an hour and a half now, that's really, really bitter."
After the medical timeout, Sinner returned to the court but was a shadow of the player who has dominated men's tennis in recent months. He won only two of the final 19 games as Cerundolo, ranked 56th in the world, seized his opportunity with clinical efficiency.
The match lasted three hours and 36 minutes before Cerundolo converted his first match point, sealing the biggest upset of the tournament so far. The Argentine, who won his only ATP title in Cordoba in February 2021, had never before defeated a world number one.
Cerundolo Seizes the Moment
"It's hard for him. I'm sorry for Jannik," Cerundolo said on court after the match. "I hope he recovers quickly."
The dramatic scenes immediately shifted the tournament landscape. With Sinner out, Germany's Alexander Zverev, the second seed, becomes the clear favorite for the title. Zverev had earlier cruised into the third round with a straight-sets victory over Tomas Machac.
Zverev Emerges as Top Favorite
Former German national coach Barbara Rittner acknowledged the seismic shift. "First of all, it's a shock for everyone," Rittner told Eurosport. "Naturally, Sascha Zverev, who is seeded number two, is now the absolute top favorite."
Kohlschreiber, however, cautioned against premature coronations. "There are still enough stumbling blocks," he warned, noting that Zverev's next opponent is Frenchman Quentin Halys on Friday evening.
Zverev, the 2021 Olympic champion, has impressed in Paris with a more creative and varied game style. Tennis legend Boris Becker has been effusive in his praise. "The creativity, the stop, the way he plays – I like it incredibly well," Becker said. "For me, it's currently the best Sascha Zverev."
Sinner's Grand Slam Dream Deferred
For Sinner, the defeat is a bitter blow in his quest for a career Grand Slam. Paris remains the only major title missing from his collection, and this marks his earliest exit at Roland Garros since a second-round loss three years ago.
The Italian had previously shown vulnerability in extreme heat. Becker had identified the weather as Sinner's primary obstacle before the match. "We redheads struggle in great heat," Becker had said. "The weather is his biggest opponent."
Sinner, who had played a grueling schedule in recent weeks, acknowledged the toll the conditions took on his body. "Many things led to this," he said after the match, without specifying exact causes. "I now have a lot of time to recover. I really need a bit of a break to recover completely mentally as well."
Other Action from Roland Garros
The upset overshadowed other results on day four of the tournament. In the women's draw, top seed Aryna Sabalenka was in action, while Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek also progressed. Ukrainian qualifier Julia Starodubzewa pulled off a notable upset, defeating second seed Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (10/4).
In other men's matches, Karen Khachanov advanced past Marco Trungelliti in four sets, while Quentin Halys surprised 32nd seed Ugo Humbert in an all-French encounter. Zverev's dominant 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 win over Machac underlined his status as the new frontrunner.
The image of Sinner, barely able to stand and struggling to compete, will linger as one of the most dramatic moments of the 2026 tennis season. His 30-match winning streak, which included multiple titles and seemed to herald an era of dominance, came to an abrupt and unexpected end under the punishing Parisian sun.
Cerundolo, meanwhile, advances to the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career. The 24-year-old Argentine, who gained fame in 2021 by winning an ATP title in his main-draw debut, now faces a golden opportunity to continue his deepest major run.
Questions & Answers
Why did Jannik Sinner lose to Juan Manuel Cerundolo?
Sinner suffered severe physical problems, including cramps and dizziness, in the 30-degree Paris heat after leading by two sets and 5-1 in the third. His body effectively shut down, allowing Cerundolo to win 12 of the last 14 games.
How does Sinner's exit affect Alexander Zverev's chances?
With Sinner eliminated, second seed Zverev becomes the clear favorite for the French Open title. Zverev had lost his last nine matches against Sinner and no longer has to face his biggest rival in the draw.
What did Jannik Sinner say after his defeat?
Sinner said that 'many things led to this' without specifying exact causes, and stated he needs a break to recover completely mentally. He also noted he now has a lot of time to rest after a brutal recent competition schedule.
