Jannik Sinner's journey to conquer the Roland Garros title and complete his Career Grand Slam collection ended in the most unbelievable scenario. The world number one fell to Juan Manuel Cerundolo with a score of 6-3, 6-2, 5-7, 1-6, 1-6, after having one hand on a ticket to the third round.
The shock stemming from the physical fitness level.
In the first two sets, Sinner displayed overwhelming dominance, winning easily 6-3 and 6-2. In the third set, the Italian star continued to maintain his advantage, leading 5-1. However, on the verge of victory, the world number one's body began to show unusual signs.
Sinner's recurring cramps significantly restricted his movement. Notably, he had two opportunities to serve and finish the match, but both times his opponents successfully broke his serve. Sinner even experienced nausea and required on-court medical attention when the score was 5-4.
Cerundolo and the historic victory
Taking advantage of his opponent's significant physical decline, Juan Manuel Cerundolo displayed tenacious and resilient play. The world No. 56 Argentinian won 18 of the final 20 games of the match, creating a classic comeback in the history of the tournament.
This achievement makes Cerundolo the first player to eliminate the number one seed at Roland Garros before the third round since 2000. This is considered the most surprising result in world tennis in 2026, because before that, Sinner had a streak of 30 consecutive wins and had swept all 5 Masters 1000 titles at the beginning of the year.
This painful defeat forced Sinner to postpone his dream of becoming the seventh player in the Open Era to complete a Career Grand Slam. Roland Garros remains the only missing piece in the 24-year-old Italian's collection of prestigious titles.
Match statistics for Sinner - Cerundolo:
| Parameter | Jannik Sinner | Juan Cerundolo |
|---|---|---|
| Set score | 2 | 3 |
| Detailed score | 6-3, 6-2, 5-7, 1-6, 1-6 | |
| Winning game at the end of the match. | 2 | 18 |
After the match, experts suggested that the harsh weather conditions and packed schedule were likely the main reasons for Sinner's sudden decline in form. For Cerundolo, the ticket to the third round was a well-deserved reward for his never-give-up spirit against the world number one.