No. 1 Sinner wilts in heat, falls to Cerundolo at French Open

Thursday, May 28, 2026Confirmed

Sports Desk

What we know

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner crashed out of the French Open in the second round on Thursday, wasting a two-set lead and a chance to serve out the match before Argentina's Juan Manuel Cerundolo completed a 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 upset in scorching Paris heat. Sinner, the overwhelming title favorite with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz absent through injury, called for the trainer while serving for the match, took a medical timeout for nausea and dizziness, then dropped 18 of the final 20 games.

It was the earliest French Open exit by a men's top seed since Andre Agassi in 2000, Sinner's first clay loss of the season and his first defeat since February. The result blows the men's draw wide open for Novak Djokovic's pursuit of a record 25th Slam and leaves Cerundolo — a heavy underdog — into a Grand Slam third round for the first time.

What's confirmed

AP/Reuters/BBC: Cerundolo beat Sinner 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 after Sinner led by two sets and 5-1 in the third before physical issues halted his run (AP/Reuters/BBC).
ESPN/AP: Sinner became the first men's No. 1 seed to lose in the second round or earlier at Roland Garros since Agassi in 2000; he lost 18 of the last 20 games (ESPN/AP).
BBC/Reuters: Temperatures topped about 34C; Sinner described feeling unwell and took an off-court medical timeout while serving for the match (BBC/Reuters).
BBC: Cerundolo next faces Spanish world No. 69 Martin Landaluce; the draw opens paths for Djokovic, Zverev and unseeded contenders (BBC).

What's still developing

Sinner's recovery timeline ahead of the grass swing and Wimbledon defense.
How far Cerundolo can go in the wide-open top half without Sinner or Alcaraz.
Whether heat protocols or scheduling changes follow the Chatrier afternoon conditions.

Sources

AP News — Top-ranked Jannik Sinner loses in the French Open second round link
Reuters — Ailing Sinner falls to Cerundolo in French Open second-round shock link
BBC Sport — Jannik Sinner hit by injury in shock second-round loss to Juan Manuel Cerundolo link
ESPN — No. 1 Jannik Sinner falls apart, eliminated from French Open link
BBC Sport — Sinner defeat opens Roland Garros draw link