In a surprising turn of events at the French Open, top-ranked tennis player Jannik Sinner faced an unexpected defeat in the second round. The Italian star, who had been on a winning streak with five consecutive Masters 1000 titles, was beaten by Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo, ranked 56th, in a five-set match.

Sinner’s Struggles

Sinner, who had been a favorite to win the tournament, struggled with dizziness and exhaustion during the match. Despite leading 5-1 in the third set, he was unable to close out the match and ultimately lost 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1. The Paris heat wave seemed to take a toll on Sinner, who was seen using a hand-held fan and ice bags to cool down during changeovers.

“I didn’t feel very well on court,” Sinner admitted. “I struggled, starting to feel very dizzy, very low on energy. I was very, very flat. The whole body. I don’t remember the last time I felt this weak.”

Opponent’s Reaction

Cerundolo, who is best known as the younger brother of Francisco Cerundolo, expressed sympathy for Sinner’s condition. “It’s tough for him,” Cerundolo said. “He was deserving to win in this match, and then I don’t know what happened. I feel sorry for him and hope he recovers.”

Cerundolo’s victory marked his first win against Sinner, and he credited his inspiration to fellow left-hander Rafael Nadal, a former French Open champion. Cerundolo’s favorite shot, the forehand, was instrumental in his win, with 29 winners against Sinner.

Looking Ahead

Sinner’s early exit from the French Open was unexpected, especially with his recent success on the ATP tour. He plans to undergo tests to determine the cause of his exhaustion and aims to recuperate in time for Wimbledon, where he is the reigning champion.

Despite the setback, Sinner remains optimistic about his future performances. “Let’s hope we’re ready for Wimbledon,” he said, looking ahead to the next Grand Slam tournament.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.