JANNIK Sinner is out of the French Open in the biggest shock of the tournament so far after struggling with injury in a five-set loss to Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the second round in sweltering Paris conditions on Friday.
World number one Sinner was the heaviest favourite for the men’s title since the great Rafael Nadal in 2009, with no-one coming close to challenging him on the clay in recent weeks.
Sinner was bidding to complete the career Grand Slam at Roland Garros, and few expected him to fall short – but just as Nadal suffered an early exit 17 years ago, the Italian will now have to wait for another chance at Paris glory.
Sinner was two sets and 5-1 up before a remarkable change of momentum.
The 24-year-old appeared laboured on court with a dejected expression as he lost the next three games, including 11 straight points, before calling for the trainer.
Sinner could be heard saying he felt “dizzy” and like he “wanted to vomit” and took a mid-game medical timeout before returning to court.
After dropping the third set, Sinner failed to regain his fitness as Argentina’s world number 56 won 3-6 2-6 7-5 6-1 6-1.
Aryna Sabalenka made sure there were no more major surprises on a warm afternoon when the world number one downed French hope Elsa Jacquemot 7-5 6-2 while defending champion Coco Gauff eased past Egypt’s Mayar Sherif 6-3 6-2.
Along with four-times champion Swiatek, Sabalenka and Gauff are the main contenders to capture the Suzanne Lenglen Cup after contesting the Paris final 12 months ago.
Former world number one Naomi Osaka is another player eager to be in the mix during the business end of the Grand Slam, and the Japanese player brought style and steel to defeat Donna Vekic 7-6(1) 6-4 and reach the third round.
Amanda Anisimova, a Paris semi-finalist as a teenager in 2019, went through after her opponent Julia Grabher retired with illness after being blanked in the opening set.
There was joy for French fans when teenager Moise Kouame defeated Paraguayan Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 6-3 7-5 3-6 2-6 7-6(10-8) in a gripping contest lasting nearly five hours and he credited Alcaraz for inspiring him.
The 17-year-old Kouame, ranked 318th in the world and playing in his first Grand Slam courtesy of a wildcard, became the fifth-youngest man to make it to the third round at Roland Garros since the professional era began in 1968.
Agency reports
