Massive upset at French Open, unseeded Argentine knocks out World no. 1 Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner’s bid for a maiden French Open title and a career Grand Slam went up in smoke on a scorching Thursday after physical issues derailed his second-round match. The Italian star suffered a stunning collapse against the unseeded Argentine Juan Manuel Cerundolo, ultimately falling to a 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 defeat as the grueling conditions took their toll.

Jannik Sinner crashes out of French Open 2026 after Juan Manuel Cerundolo jolt

The match initially appeared to be a straightforward affair for Sinner, who cruised through the opening two sets with ease. He looked firmly in control and was on the brink of victory with a commanding 5-1 lead in the third set. However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Sinner dropped three consecutive games, prompting him to leave the court for medical treatment.

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After the medical timeout, Sinner was a shadow of his former self on the clay. Unable to recover his physical peak, he dropped the remainder of the third set and went on to lose two straight one-sided sets before completely breaking down in the deciding fifth set.

Who is Juan Manuel Cerundolo?

Juan Manuel Cerundolo is currently ranked 56th in the ATP Rankings, continuing his steady rise on the professional circuit. He first picked up a tennis racket at the young age of three and officially turned professional in 2018. The Argentine reached a major milestone in 2021 when he captured his maiden ATP title at the Córdoba Open. Showing impressive form leading into the current season, Cerundolo recently lifted an ATP Challenger title in Bordeaux earlier this month, a triumphant run that saw him defeat four Top-100 opponents along the way.

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Tennis runs deep in the Cerundolo family, as his older brother, Francisco Cerundolo, is also a prominent player competing on the ATP Tour. The brothers are currently sharing the spotlight on the clay courts of Paris, with Francisco concurrently taking on Hugo Gaston in the second round of Roland Garros.

As a natural left-handed player, the younger Cerundolo grew up idolizing the legendary Rafael Nadal, making it no surprise that Roland Garros stands out as his favorite tournament on the tennis calendar. On the court, Cerundolo's absolute standout weapon is his forehand. He is highly capable of dictating rallies and causing major problems for his opponents by generating heavy topspin and a frustratingly high bounce.