French Open Shock: World No. 1 Jannik Sinner Stunned by Juan Manuel Cerúndolo in Historic Roland-Garros Upset
The 2026 French Open witnessed one of the most astonishing collapses and greatest upsets in modern tennis history on Thursday. World No. 1 and runaway tournament favorite Jannik Sinner crashed out in the second round, blown away by Argentina’s world No. 56, Juan Manuel Cerúndolo, in a grueling five-set thriller on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Sinner, who entered the match riding a spectacular 30-game winning streak and looking virtually untouchable, appeared to have one foot in the third round before a combination of sweltering Parisian heat and severe physical cramping completely derailed his campaign.
Cerúndolo staged the ultimate comeback, escaping the brink of defeat to secure a historic 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 victory in three hours and 36 minutes
"No One is a Robot"
A heavily fatigued Sinner did not hide his physical struggles in the post-match press conference:
"I felt this morning I didn't sleep very well. The third set I let go to recover physically, and the fifth set we all know everything can happen, but yeah, it was tough. I was in a tough spot in the fourth and also in the fifth at some point. I didn't have energy, really. No one is a robot."
For Cerúndolo, the victory marks his first-time ever reaching the third round of a Grand Slam major. Adding to the fairytale, it was a double celebration for the family, as his older brother Francisco Cerúndolo also advanced to the third round earlier in the day.
With defending champions and top rivals like Carlos Alcaraz out of the tournament due to injury, Sinner’s shocking early exit blows the 2026 Roland-Garros men’s singles draw completely wide open.
