Jannik Sinner’s ambition to achieve a career Grand Slam was thwarted at the French Open, as he lost in the second round. Coming into the match with an impressive 30 consecutive wins, Sinner was defeated by Juan Manuel Cerúndolo, ranked 56th in the world. Notably, Sinner was just four points away from victory.
The main concern was the weather conditions. The biggest challenge for Sinner seemed to be the heat rather than his opponents. The temperatures had been troublesome for him before, notably in January’s Australian Open and October’s Shanghai Masters.
During the French Open, the heat reached around 90 degrees. On Court Philippe-Chatrier, Sinner faced no shelter, leading to a near collapse from heat exhaustion. While he appeared to be in control toward the end of the third set, he suddenly lost momentum. After leading 6-3, 6-2, 5-2, he faltered dramatically, losing 18 consecutive points. He left the court for medical attention, citing dizziness.
Upon his return, the match continued with Cerúndolo taking advantage of Sinner’s weakened state, cutting the deficit to two sets to one in no time. Despite a short break, Sinner couldn’t regain his strength. Cerúndolo maintained focus, saving critical break points and forcing Sinner into rallies that tested his endurance.
Cerúndolo took the fourth set 6-1. In the final set, Cerúndolo raced to a 4-0 lead, effectively sealing Sinner’s fate. Sinner’s attempt at early aggressive play was absorbed by Cerúndolo’s steady defense. The game ended with Cerúndolo’s victory, leaving Sinner’s Grand Slam pursuit unfulfilled.
This result makes the 2026 French Open notably unpredictable. With Carlos Alcaraz out, Sinner was a favorite. Now, the men’s draw is open, with no participant having won a major recently other than Djokovic. Heat remains a critical challenge for Sinner, evident from his past two years’ defeats.
Meanwhile, Juan Manuel Cerúndolo celebrates the biggest win of his career. He advances to the third round to face either Martin Landaluce of Spain or Vít Kopřiva of Czechia.
As the competition progresses, temperatures are expected to rise further, posing a challenge to the players. Managing the heat remains crucial for success at the French Open.
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