Jannik Sinner has suffered a shock defeat in just his second round match at Roland Garros.
Sinner was on a 30-match winning streak coming into his match against Juan Manuel Cerundolo, as the huge favourite to win the Roland Garros title this year.
The world number one appeared to be cruising to a straight sets victory against Cerundolo, with Sinner having led the match by two sets and 5-1, before he started to struggle physically as a result of the scorching temperatures in Paris.
Sinner took a controversial medical timeout in the latter stages of the third set, but he was never able to recover fully before losing to Cerundolo 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1.
Tim Henman and Henri Leconte react to Jannik Sinner defeat
When reacting to Sinner’s defeat live on TNT Sports, former Roland Garros semifinalist Tim Henman called it one of the biggest shocks in Grand Slam history.
“One of the biggest upsets in Grand Slams for many, many years,” said Henman. “Two sets to love, 5-1 in absolute cruise control.
“Sinner has been beating everyone for months, has not looked like losing, and then 18 of the next 20 games, Cerundolo takes. Absolutely incredible.”
Where does Jannik Sinner’s defeat to Juan Manuel Cerundolo rank among the most shocking results in tennis history?
Former Roland Garros finalist Henri Leconte then also joined the conversation, highlighting the problem that Sinner had during the match, as well as giving some praise to Cerundolo.
“I think the problem is that he has been playing so well and it was too much,” said Leconte. “So he came to the French Open and did not have enough energy and that’s what happened today. You have to also say that Cerundolo played unbelievably at the end.”
When did Jannik Sinner last lose in the second round of a Grand Slam?
This is Sinner’s earliest Grand Slam defeat in three years, when he also lost in the second round of Roland Garros in 2023.
Sinner was beaten on that occasion by Daniel Altmaier, in a match that also went to five sets.
The significant difference for Sinner this time around is that he was the huge favourite to win the title in Paris and therefore complete the Career Grand Slam.
Who is your favourite to win the French Open now that Jannik Sinner has been eliminated?
Sinner will have to wait another year to do that now, as he switches his attention to Wimbledon.
That will be the 24-year-old’s next tournament, as Sinner had previously confirmed he will not be playing any grass court tournaments before Wimbledon this year.
