Jannik Sinner suffers stunning French Open exit as heat takes toll

Jannik Sinner, the world number one, led Juan Manuel Cerundolo 2 sets to love and 5-1 in the second round at Roland Garros. Sinner then lost momentum in the Paris heat and dropped the match 3-6 2-6 7-5 6-1 6-1. After being close to finishing, he lost 18 straight points, including a second chance to serve for the match at 5-4. He sat near the advertising hoardings, received attention from medical staff, and had his blood pressure checked after saying he felt sick. He returned without a medical timeout, but his movement remained laboured as Cerundolo won the remaining games. The loss leaves a major title to be claimed by someone other than Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz.

"The world number one looked to be cruising to victory over Argentinian Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the second round at two sets and 5-1 up but his tolerance for the conditions evaporated within sight of the finish line. Sinner won only two more games in a 3-6 2-6 7-5 6-1 6-1 defeat that blows the men's tournament at Roland Garros wide open, with 39-year-old Novak Djokovic the only player left to have claimed a grand slam title."

"From 5-1 in the third set and potentially a minute away from the locker room, Sinner sensationally lost 18 points in a row to trail 0-40 serving for the match a second time at 5-4. He sat on the advertising hoardings at the side of the court for several seconds, prompting umpire Aurelie Tourte to come down from her chair and enter a discussion with the world number one."

"Sinner was attended to by medical staff and was allowed to leave court after saying he felt sick to have his condition assessed and blood pressure taken before returning and losing three more games and the set. It is unusual for players in such scenarios to leave the court, with heat-related cramp deemed a loss of condition for which a medical timeout cannot be received."

"Sinner did not take a timeout but the assessment took several minutes, and former British number one Tim Henman said on TNT Sports: "The umpire shouldn't be getting off her chair. It's not her responsibility, that's the player's responsibility. "I don't see why he should get the benefit of going into an air-conditioned room.""

Read at Irish Independent