Sinner, widely tipped to win his maiden French Open title this year, looked to be cruising into the third round after dominating the opening stages of the contest. The Italian star won the first two sets 6-3, 6-2 and led 5-1 in the third set before the match turned completely in Paris.
Playing in intense heat conditions, Sinner began to struggle physically midway through the third set and required medical attention while attempting to serve out the match. From that moment, Cerundolo produced a remarkable comeback, taking control as Sinner’s movement and energy levels visibly dropped.
The Argentine battled back to win the third set 7-5 before completely dominating the final two sets 6-1, 6-1 to seal the biggest victory of his career and send shockwaves across the tennis world.
The defeat also ended Sinner’s impressive 30-match winning streak, a run that had seen him establish himself as the overwhelming favourite for the men’s title in Paris. With several top contenders already facing struggles or injury concerns, many expected the Italian to finally conquer Roland Garros this year.
Cerundolo, ranked No. 56 in the world before the tournament, showed incredible composure throughout the comeback despite facing a near-certain defeat earlier in the match. The 24-year-old Argentine had never previously advanced beyond the second round at Roland Garros, making the victory even more historic.
The dramatic collapse stunned fans inside Court Philippe-Chatrier, especially after Sinner appeared completely in control for over two sets. Reports from courtside revealed the Italian suffered from dizziness and physical discomfort due to the extreme Paris heat as temperatures climbed above 30°C during the match.
For Cerundolo, the unforgettable triumph marks a career-defining moment and could become one of the signature upsets of the 2026 tennis season. Meanwhile, Sinner will now turn his attention toward recovery and preparations for the upcoming grass-court campaign after a painful and unexpected early exit in Paris.
The result has also blown the men’s draw wide open at the French Open, with one of the tournament favourites now out far earlier than anyone predicted.