•World No. 1 Jannik Sinner was sensationally upset by Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 1-6, 1-6 in the second round of the French Open 2026 on May 28.
•Sinner’s physical collapse in extreme heat (over 32°C) ended his 30-match winning streak and dashed his hopes of a career Grand Slam.
•Cerundolo, ranked 56th, played fearless tennis, extended rallies, and capitalized on Sinner’s dizziness and exhaustion to pull off the biggest win of his career.
•Sinner admitted feeling dizzy and nauseous during the match, took a medical timeout, and struggled visibly with movement and stamina.
•The defeat marks Sinner’s earliest exit at a major since 2023 and raises concerns about his performance in high temperatures.
•Novak Djokovic, who has been searching for form, now stands to benefit from Sinner’s early exit at Roland Garros.
•Cerundolo advances to the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career following the historic upset.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner’s dream of a maiden French Open title and a career Grand Slam ended in dramatic fashion on Thursday, May 28, 2026, after he suffered a catastrophic physical collapse under extreme heat at Roland Garros. The Italian, widely regarded as the tournament favorite following the withdrawal of defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, was sensationally upset by Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 1-6, 1-6 in the second round. Sinner’s exit not only shattered his hopes of completing a career Grand Slam but also opened the men’s draw at the Paris Grand Slam, ending his 30-match winning streak that stretched back to February.
The match unfolded under blistering conditions, with temperatures climbing above 32 degrees Celsius on Court Philippe Chatrier. Sinner, who had arrived in Paris having claimed claycourt titles in Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome, looked in total control early in the match. He broke serve once to take the first set and appeared poised to cruise through the second, holding a commanding lead. However, as the match wore on, the relentless heat began to take its toll on the Italian. Cerundolo, ranked No. 56 in the world, sensed an opportunity and refused to back down. The Argentine extended rallies, forcing Sinner into desperate drop shots and risky serve-and-volley attempts, while the world No. 1 visibly struggled with movement and stamina.
Sinner’s physical difficulties became undeniable in the third set. Leading 5-1, he suddenly appeared dizzy and nauseous, bending over repeatedly in exhaustion. He approached the chair umpire, admitting, “In the third set I felt dizzy and I wanted to vomit but I couldn’t.” Sinner took a medical timeout and returned wearing the same sweat-soaked light blue outfit, with ice packs around his neck and additional minerals in his drinks. However, the damage was already done. Cerundolo capitalized on Sinner’s vulnerability, breaking back immediately after the timeout and winning the next two games to take the third set 7-5.
What followed was a complete reversal of fortunes. Sinner, visibly drained, struggled to chase routine balls in the fourth set and was broken early. The Italian repeatedly doubled over between points, clutching his right thigh as the heat continued to sap his energy. Cerundolo, now playing fearless attacking tennis, dominated the final two sets. The Argentine closed out the match emphatically, leaving Sinner in shock and the tennis world stunned by one of the biggest upsets in recent Grand Slam history.
Cerundolo’s victory marked the biggest win of his career and secured his place in the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time. His relentless intensity and tactical adaptability under pressure contrasted sharply with Sinner’s physical decline. The Argentine’s ability to extend rallies and force errors from the exhausted top seed proved decisive in what quickly became a career-defining performance.
Sinner’s defeat raises fresh concerns about his ability to handle extreme heat conditions. This was not the first time the Italian has struggled physically in high temperatures; earlier this year, he battled through a difficult Australian Open match against Eliot Spizzirri. His early exit at Roland Garros also marks his quickest departure from a Grand Slam since the 2023 French Open. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic, who has been searching for his best form, now stands as a major beneficiary of Sinner’s exit, with a clear path to advance further in the tournament.
Cerundolo’s historic upset sent shockwaves through Roland Garros, ending Sinner’s hopes of completing a career Grand Slam and handing the Argentine a golden opportunity to make a deep run in the tournament. As the scorching Paris sun set over the clay courts, the tennis world was left to reflect on a match that will be remembered not for brilliance, but for the dramatic collapse of a champion under pressure.
