Jannik Sinner revealed he “hit the wall” but insisted heat did not play a factor after the French Open favourite dramatically blew a seemingly unassailable lead to crash out in five sets and leave the tournament wide open.
The world No 1 had won his last 30 matches in a row and led Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-3 6-2 5-1, appearing to be on the brink of the third round.
But as the temperature climbed above 30 degrees, Sinner suddenly wilted. The Italian said he felt dizzy and had “no energy”, managing just two more games as Cerundolo completed an astonishing comeback.
“I woke up this morning and didn't feel very well,” Sinner explained. “I tried to keep the the points very short in the beginning. I was hitting very clean, very good and then I just kind of hit the wall and that's it.
“It was warm, but not crazy warm. I feel like it was quite okay to play and really it was was nothing against the heat, nothing against the weather. It was just me today, but it happens.”
Sinner’s stunning collapse means that for the first time since the 2023 US Open, a grand slam tournament will be won by someone other than Sinner or his rival Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz, last year’s French Open champion, is absent in Paris due to injury. It leaves Novak Djokovic, bidding for his 25th grand slam title, without his two biggest rivals.
French Open: Latest scores and updates on day five
- Jannik Sinner’s stunning collapse blows French Open wide open
- Sinner explains sudden collapse at French Open: 'Nothing against the heat'
- Moise Kouame, 17, wins stunning five-set epic in front of frenzied French fans
- Katie Boulter beaten at French Open to end British interest in singles
- French Open order of play and schedule on day six
- The men’s French Open contenders after Jannik Sinner shock including Spanish teenager
The men’s French Open contenders after Jannik Sinner shock including Spanish teenager
10:18 , Jack Rathborn
Jannik Sinner is out of the French Open and with that goes the biggest favourite before a Grand Slam in the men's singles draw since Rafael Nadal, also at the French Open in 2009.
The Italian went down in five sets to Juan Manuel Cerundolo, and with Carlos Alcaraz also out of Roland Garros, and Wimbledon, this year due to injury, Novak Djokovic has a chance to bring up a 25th Grand Slam.
That would take Djokovic past Margaret Court, breaking a tie with the Australian for most singles titles in the sport’s history.
Outside of Djokovic, there are no Grand Slam winners in the draw left, offering both opportunity and pressure without the two players that have defined this current era of men’s tennis.
Here we look at the contenders in the men’s French Open as we approach the end of the first week:
Who could win the French Open after Jannik Sinner’s shock exit?
When is Novak Djokovic v Joao Fonseca?
09:15 , Jamie Braidwood
Many would have expected Djokovic v Fonseca to be the night session match, but instead Alexander Zverev will play against Frenchman Quentin Halys in the final match of the day on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Instead, Djokovic v Fonseca is the third match of the day, with a not before start time of 2:30pm BST (UK time). It could be slightly later than that depending on the earlier matches involving Iga Swiatek and Mirra Andreeva.
What has Djokovic said about Fonseca?
08:15 , Jamie Braidwood
“Fonseca has received plenty of praise in the last two years. I believe his potential and quality as a player are beyond doubt. He has tremendous support, that of the Brazilian public, and he’s a player who likes to perform on big stages, who thrives in major arenas.
“He played a great match against [Jannik] Sinner in Indian Wells, beat [Andrey] Rublev in straight sets in Australia, and it’s clear he can step up in big matches and bring out his best, with very powerful shots.”
French Open order of play: Friday 29 May
07:15 , Jamie Braidwood
Court Philippe-CHATRIER
From 11:00am
- Magda Linette (POL) vs Iga Swiatek (POL) [3]
- Mirra Andreeva [8] vs Marie Bouzkova (CZE) [27]
Not before 2:30pm
- Joao Fonseca (BRA) [28] vs Novak Djokovic (SRB) [3]
Night Session – Not before 7:15pm
- Quentin Halys (FRA) vs Alexander Zverev (GER) [2]
Court Suzanne-LENGLEN
From 10:00am
- Nuno Borges (POR) vs Andrey Rublev [11]
- Jil Teichmann (SUI) vs Karolina Muchova (CZE) [10]
- Elina Svitolina (UKR) [7] vs Tamara Korpatsch (GER)
- Casper Ruud (NOR) [15] vs Tommy Paul (USA) [24]
Court Simonne-MATHIEU
From 10:00am
- Marta Kostyuk (UKR) [15] vs Viktorija Golubic (SUI)
- Alex Michelsen (USA) vs Rafael Jodar (ESP) [27]
- Alex de Minaur (AUS) [8] vs Jakub Mensik (CZE) [26]
- Peyton Stearns (USA) vs Belinda Bencic (SUI) [11]
Court 14
From 10:00am
- Thiago Agustin Tirante (ARG) vs Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP)
- Solana Sierra (ARG) vs Sorana Cirstea (ROU) [18]
- Karen Khachanov [13] vs Jesper de Jong (NED)
- Maya Joint (AUS) & Hanne Vandewinkel (BEL) vs Anna Danilina (KAZ) & Aleksandra Krunic (SRB) [2]
French Open: Women's results
05:57 , Jamie Braidwood
- Iva Jovic (17), United States, def. Emma Navarro, United States, 6-0, 6-3.
- Naomi Osaka (16), Japan, def. Donna Vekic, Croatia, 7-6 (1), 6-4.
- Oleksandra Oliynykova, Ukraine, def. Kimberly Birrell, Australia, 6-3, 0-6, 7-6 (5).
- Diana Shnaider (25), Russia, def. McCartney Kessler, United States, 7-6 (3), 6-1.
- Maja Chwalinska, Poland, def. Elise Mertens (23), Belgium, 6-4, 6-0.
- Amanda Anisimova (6), United States, def. Julia Grabher, Austria, 6-0, ret.
- Anna Kalinskaya (22), Russia, def. Alina Korneeva, Russia, 7-6 (2), 6-4.
- Camila Osorio, Colombia, def. Yulia Putintseva, Kazakhstan, 7-5, 6-7 (6), 7-5.
- Diane Parry, France, def. Ann Li (30), United States, 6-3, 6-4.
- Daria Kasatkina, Russia, def. Susan Bandecchi, Switzerland, 7-5, 7-6 (11).
- Maria Sakkari, Greece, def. Claire Liu, United States, 6-7 (7), 6-3, 6-3.
- Coco Gauff (4), United States, def. Maiar Sherif Ahmed Abdelaziz, Egypt, 6-3, 6-2.
- Madison Keys (19), United States, def. Antonia Ruzic, Croatia, 6-4, 6-4.
- Aryna Sabalenka (1), Belarus, def. Elsa Jacquemot, France, 7-5, 6-2.
- Anastasia Potapova (28), Russia, def. Katie Boulter, Britain, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.
French Open: Men's results
03:57 , Jamie Braidwood
- Flavio Cobolli (10), Italy, def. Yibing Wu, China, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
- Jaime Faria, Portugal, def. Jan-Lennard Struff, Germany, 7-5, 7-6 (1), 6-2.
- Zachary Svajda, United States, def. Adam Walton, Australia, 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-2.
- Alejandro Tabilo, Chile, def. Valentin Vacherot (16), Monaco, walkover.
- Learner Tien (18), United States, def. Facundo Diaz Acosta, Argentina, 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3.
- Juan Manuel Cerundolo, Argentina, def. Jannik Sinner (1), Italy, 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1.
- Moise Kouame, France, def. Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, Paraguay, 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 2-6, 7-6 (8).
- Francisco Cerundolo (25), Argentina, def. Hugo Gaston, France, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-1.
- Frances Tiafoe (19), United States, def. Hubert Hurkacz, Poland, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-7 (1), 6-4.
- Martin Landaluce, Spain, def. Vit Kopriva, Czechia, 1-6, 2-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-0.
- Felix Auger-Aliassime (4), Canada, def. Roman Andres Burruchaga, Argentina, 4-6, 6-0, 7-5, 6-1.
- Francisco Comesana, Argentina, def. Luciano Darderi (14), Italy, 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.
- Raphael Collignon, Belgium, def. Ben Shelton (5), United States, 6-4, 7-5, 6-4.
Frances Tiafoe pleads for return of racket stolen by fan at French Open
01:57 , Eleanor Crooks
A triumphant Frances Tiafoe found his French Open celebrations cut short by an unexpected theft, as his racket vanished during an embrace with fans following a grueling second-round victory.
The American tennis star had just completed an epic four-hour and 43-minute battle, defeating Hubert Hurkacz 6-7 (5) 7-6 (5) 6-4 6-7 (1) 6-4, when the bizarre incident occurred.
After securing his hard-won match on Court 14, Tiafoe approached a section of supporters courtside to share the moment. While being hugged by fans, his racket, which he was holding, disappeared from his hand.
Taking to Instagram shortly after, Tiafoe appealed for its return, writing: "Unreal atmosphere on court 14 today. But I must say to the fan who took my racket at the end while I was celebrating with y’all. Can I please have it back. I’ll bless you with two tickets for my next match."
US tennis star pleads for return of racket stolen by fan at French Open
Jannik Sinner denies heat was to blame for shock French Open exit
Thursday 28 May 2026 22:57 , Jamie Braidwood
Jannik Sinner denied that heat was behind his stunning French Open loss and instead blamed feeling unwell.
The world number one arrived in Paris as the most overwhelming title favourite since a prime Rafael Nadal but is leaving before the first weekend after a 3-6 2-6 7-5 6-1 6-1 loss to Argentinian Juan Manuel Cerundolo.
Even more shocking than the result was the manner of the loss, with Sinner apparently cruising to victory at 5-1 up in the third set only to lose 18 points in a row.
Sinner’s difficulties in hot weather are well documented, including a narrow escape at the Australian Open this year when he was saved by that tournament’s heat policy, but the 24-year-old insisted this was a different situation.
Jannik Sinner denies heat was to blame for shock French Open exit
Katie Boulter beaten at French Open to end British interest in singles
Thursday 28 May 2026 22:16 , Eleanor Crooks
British interest in singles at the French Open ended in the second round with defeat for Katie Boulter against Anastasia Potapova.
Boulter might have feared the worst when her match was moved from its original court six to court 13, where Emma Raducanu, Cameron Norrie and Fran Jones had already lost.
Boulter has never been beyond the second round in Paris and she took confidence despite the result, saying: “Today the match was exactly what I wanted it to be.
“The result didn’t go my way, but I felt like the type of tennis I was trying to play was miles better than the first round.
“I think the way that I was aggressive, the way that I struck the ball today, I think was some of the best I have on a clay court.”
Katie Boulter beaten at French Open to end British interest in singles
Why Jannik Sinner’s unthinkable French Open defeat is a huge wake-up call
Thursday 28 May 2026 21:57 , Jamie Braidwood
Last year, Jannik Sinner suffered one of the most devastating losses imaginable when he allowed Carlos Alcaraz to wriggle from his grasp when three championship points down in their memorable French Open final. A year on, the world No 1 returned to Court Philippe-Chatrier and experienced an even more staggering collapse. From 6-3, 6-2, 5-1, the chances of Sinner’s opponent, the world No 56 Juan Manuel Cerundolo, reaching the third round and ending the top seed’s dominant 30-match winning streak were unthinkable.
Why Jannik Sinner’s unthinkable French Open defeat is a huge wake-up call
French Open men’s and women’s seed list and tracker
Thursday 28 May 2026 20:57 , Jamie Braidwood
Jannik Sinner became the biggest shock of this year’s French Open and of any grand slam for many years after a stunning second round exit at the hands of Juan Manuel Cerundolo. The world No 1 suffered in the heat and appeared to struggle with an injury as the Argentine pulled off a remarkable comeback from two sets down on Thursday.
Follow the top players’ progress with our seed tracker here:
French Open men’s and women’s seed list and tracker
Djokovic v Fonseca start time: When is French Open third-round blockbuster?
Thursday 28 May 2026 19:57 , Jamie Braidwood
Novak Djokovic battles rising star Joao Fonseca for the first time in a blockbuster third-round match at the French Open.
The shock exit of world No 1 and pre-tournament favourite Jannik Sinner has left Djokovic as the only grand slam champion left in the Roland Garros draw, with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz sidelined with a wrist injury.
Djokovic, at 39, now has a big opportunity to win a record 25th grand slam title, but he still faces a tricky road to the title and will play the talented teenager Fonseca for a place in the fourth round.
The Brazilian, 19, had to recover from two sets down to beat Dino Prizmic in the second round on Tuesday and will be looking for the biggest win of his young career.
Many would have expected Djokovic v Fonseca to be the night session match, but instead Alexander Zverev will play against Frenchman Quentin Halys in the final match of the day on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Djokovic v Fonseca start time: When is French Open third-round blockbuster?
Who is Moise Kouame? Wildcard makes more French Open history
Thursday 28 May 2026 18:57 , Jamie Braidwood
With the French Open crowd chanting his name and the teenage wildcard leading their ferocious roars, the sensational Moise Kouame made more history as he advanced to the third round on his first appearance at a grand slam tournament in a remarkable five-set win.
The 17-year-old Frenchman, who became the youngest man to win a match at Roland Garros since 1991 when he defeated former grand slam champion Marin Cilic in the first round, is now the youngest man to reach the third round of a grand slam since Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in 2003.
Kouame, ranked 313 in the world, secured just the third tour-level victory of his career on Thursday, and did so the hard way as he defeated Paraguay’s Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in a five-set epic lasting nearly five hours 6-3 7-5 3-6 2-6 7-6 (10/8).
Somehow, in by far the longest match of his life and first five-setter, Kouame produced an astonishing surge of energy to get over the line.
Kouame, 17, makes more French Open history after victory over grand slam champion
Jannik Sinner: 'This is my main goal here and I had a very early exit'
Thursday 28 May 2026 18:27 , Jamie Braidwood
Jannik Sinner finished his press conference by confirming he does not regret playing such a busy clay-court swing, after titles in Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome. The world No 1 says winning the French Open was his biggest goal of the year, but his challenge is over after just the second round.
“If I don't play Madrid or if I don't play Rome, maybe I come here and I have still have a day like this where you feel sick. Looking back, it's always very tough. At the same time I won three tournaments on clay, had incredible results, an amazing streak.
“As I said in the beginning of the year, this is my main goal here and I had a very early exit. It’s not what I was looking for. But you also don't know if things would have changed if I would maybe skip Madrid and play only Rome or maybe skipping Rome and to come here. You never know.”
Jannik Sinner: 'I don't remember last time I felt this weak'
Thursday 28 May 2026 17:57 , Jamie Braidwood
Jannik Sinner confirms he did not consider retiring from the match but was feeling “very flat” through to the fourth and fifth sets.
“Today was just not meant to be. I think many things together you know uh caused this this problem today, but again it can happen. I just need my time now you to process what went wrong here.
“The fourth set I let go to recover physically and fifth set we all know everything can happen but it was tough. I was in a tough spot in the fourth and also in the fifth. I didn't have energy, was very very flat, the whole body. I don't remember last time I felt this weak. I tried to stay there with all I had today and this was the maximum I had.”
Jannik Sinner says conditions 'completely different' to previous struggles in Shanghai and Australia
Thursday 28 May 2026 17:37 , Jamie Braidwood
“Shanghai was very tough for humidity, very high. Australia was very, very warm. It's different when you play on hardcourt because the heat comes also underneath. Here it was warm but it was okay. It was not like I was dying because of the heat.
“I think today was completely different scenario. This can happen. It's tough to accept of course because of the position where I've been in and everything considered.
“Now I have a lot of time to recover. I won't play any tournaments on grass before Wimbledon. I really need some time off to recover completely, also mentally, and then be ready to go again from from Wimbledon.”
Jannik Sinner: 'Nothing against the heat - it was just me today'
Thursday 28 May 2026 17:21 , Jamie Braidwood
Jannik Sinner says he started feeling as if he didn’t have any energy during the third set, but denies that had anything to do with the heat in Paris. He explains he didn’t sleep well last night and didn’t feel well when he woke up.
“It was warm but not crazy warm. I feel like it was quite okay to play and really it was was nothing against the heat, nothing against the weather. It was just me today, but it happens.
“I felt this morning that I didn't sleep very well. This morning when I woke up was struggling a bit, but you know this can happen.
“Usually in grand slams you always have a couple of days where you don't feel perfect. This was today. And yeah, this happened.”
Jannik Sinner explains sudden collapse at French Open
Thursday 28 May 2026 17:06 , Jamie Braidwood
Jannik Sinner, speaking in his press-conference after his shock defeat at the French Open.
“Didn't feel very well on court, but can happen. Was in a good spot, also in third set, but I couldn't couldn't serve it out and then struggled quite a bit. Also congrats to him, I don't want to take I don't want to take anything away from him. He played a very solid match, especially also in the end, and that's the sport.
“I started to feel very dizzy, very low of energy. I tried to to serve it out [in the third] but didn't have a lot of energy. Fourth set I let it go a little bit trying to have a bit more energy in the fifth. Very important game, the first one, but couldn't hold and then it went all a bit downwards.
“I woke up this morning didn't feel very well and tried to keep the the points very short in the beginning. I was hitting very clean, very good and then I just kind of hit the wall and that's it.”
Why Jannik Sinner’s unthinkable French Open defeat is a huge wake-up call
Thursday 28 May 2026 16:39 , Jamie Braidwood
Jannik Sinner was the biggest pre-tournament favourite at Roland Garros since Rafael Nadal in 2009 and his shock second-round defeat should alert every player in the draw while Carlos Alcaraz is absent.
Why Jannik Sinner’s unthinkable French Open defeat is a huge wake-up call
Juan Manuel Cerundolo's brother is also through
Thursday 28 May 2026 15:37 , Jamie Braidwood
Francisco Cerundolo, the 25th seed, is also through to the third round. He will come off court to hear that his younger brother has knocked out top seed Jannik Sinner, and I’m sure he won’t even believe them. Actually, everyone coming off court today is going to get a boost by today’s unexpected news.
Biggest French Open upset since 2009?
Thursday 28 May 2026 15:23 , Jamie Braidwood
Jannik Sinner is the first No 1 seed to lose at the French Open before the third round since Karol Kučera in 2000.
In terms of upsets, though, this has to be up there with Rafael Nadal’s first Roland Garros defeat in 2009, which was in the fourth round.
Moise Kouame, 17, makes more French Open history after victory over grand slam champion
Thursday 28 May 2026 15:13 , Jamie Braidwood
With the French Open crowd chanting his name and the teenage wildcard leading their ferocious roars, the sensational Moise Kouame made more history as he advanced to the third round on his first appearance at a grand slam tournament in a remarkable five-set win.
The 17-year-old Frenchman, who became the youngest man to win a match at Roland Garros since 1991 when he defeated former grand slam champion Marin Cilic in the first round, is now the youngest man to reach the third round of a grand slam since Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in 2003.
Kouame, ranked 313 in the world, secured just the third tour-level victory of his career on Thursday, and did so the hard way as he defeated Paraguay’s Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in a five-set epic lasting nearly five hours 6-3 7-5 3-6 2-6 7-6 (10/8).
Somehow, in by far the longest match of his life and first five-setter, Kouame produced an astonishing surge of energy to get over the line.
Kouame, 17, makes more French Open history after victory over grand slam champion
Jannik Sinner's patten of struggling in the heat
Thursday 28 May 2026 15:06 , Jamie Braidwood
There is a patten of Jannik Sinner struggling in the heat and it is becoming his Kryptonite.
His last defeat at Masters level came when he was forced to retire from last season’s Shanghai Masters due to severe leg cramps amid extreme heat and humidity.
He then had a fortunate escape against Eliot Spizzirri in this season’s Australian Open, suffering cramps as temperatures reached 36 degrees before the tournament’s extreme heat rule was enforced and Sinner was able to recover before progressing in four sets.
There was no escape, this time, as his dream of completing the career grand slam melted away.
French Open blown wide open
Thursday 28 May 2026 15:03 , Jamie Braidwood
So much to unpack from the biggest upset in YEARS. It means that for the first time since the 2023 US Open, there will be a grand slam champion other than Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz, who is absent in Paris due to injury.
It this Novak Djokovic’s year? He has a tough match tomorrow against Joao Fonseca.
On Sinner’s side of the draw, Felix Auger-Aliassime is now the highest seed, but that half is going to produce a first-time French Open finalist.
Juan Manuel Cerundolo: 'I was a bit lucky'
Thursday 28 May 2026 14:59 , Jamie Braidwood
Let’s hear it for Juan Manuel Cerundolo, the 24-year-old who has just pulled off the biggest win of his life. His brother, Francisco Cerundolo, may join him in the third round, too.
“It’s tough for him. I couldn’t win more than three games in a set. I was a bit lucky, I feel for him because he deserves to win a lot of majors and he was serving to win this match. I don’t know what happened, cramping maybe, or the pressure, but I hope he recovers.
“I’m super happy. I tried to play my best. Clay is my best surface and I hope to be ready for the next match.”
Jannik Sinner was the biggest pre-tournament favourite since Rafael Nadal
Thursday 28 May 2026 14:55 , Jamie Braidwood
Without Carlos Alcaraz in the draw, Jannik Sinner was the biggest pre-tournament favourite since Rafael Nadal in 2009; Nadal, famously, suffered his first defeat at Roland Garros that year, to Robin Soderling.
Sinner had won 30 matches in a row since February; he had won all 18 matches he had played on clay this year. After one of the most dominant seasons in tennis history, Sinner has suffered his earliest grand slam exit in three years. The unthinkable.
Jannik Sinner departs the French Open
Thursday 28 May 2026 14:50 , Jamie Braidwood
Last year, Sinner blew three Championship points in the final against Carlos Alcaraz.
This year might hurt even more. He was on the brink of the third round, then his body shut down.
JANNIK SINNER IS OUT OF THE FRENCH OPEN
Thursday 28 May 2026 14:47 , Jamie Braidwood
Unbelievable.
Sinner led 5-1 in the third set.
Less than two hours later, Cerundolo completes the most remarkable comeback: 3-6 2-6 7-5 6-1 6-1.
There is barely a flicker on Cerundolo’s face - it’s not an easy win to win a match.
Sinner looked to have accepted his fate long ago. His tournament is over.
The French Open is blown WIDE OPEN.
French Open: *Sinner 6-3 6-2 5-7 1-6 1-5 Cerundolo
Thursday 28 May 2026 14:46 , Jamie Braidwood
Cerundolo is two points away... then Sinner nets on the backhand to bring up THREE MATCH POINTS
French Open: *Sinner 6-3 6-2 5-7 1-6 1-5 Cerundolo
Thursday 28 May 2026 14:44 , Jamie Braidwood
Hello? A glimmer of hope for Sinner as he steps in and crushes the return winner crosscourt. He has two break points, but Cerundolo saves them impressively with his left-handed forehand finding the lines and opening up the court.
He deploys the drop shot, ruthlessly making Sinner sprint on dead legs, and closes the door. He moves a game away.
French Open: Sinner 6-3 6-2 5-7 1-6 1-4 Cerundolo*
Thursday 28 May 2026 14:40 , Jamie Braidwood
There is a blank look on Sinner’s face as he takes his seat at the changeoever - which could be his last at this year’s French Open. He holds, but trails 4-1 in the fifth.
French Open: *Sinner 6-3 6-2 5-7 1-6 0-4 Cerundolo
Thursday 28 May 2026 14:36 , Jamie Braidwood
Sinner puts another forehand into the net and Cerundolo, who is playing his part, moves two games away. Who had Juan Manuel Cerundolo on their card for biggest upset of the decade?
French Open: Sinner 6-3 6-2 5-7 1-6 0-3 Cerundolo
Thursday 28 May 2026 14:32 , Jamie Braidwood
There is the double-break. Cerundolo clenches his fist. Sinner, resigned, slumps in his seat. The most remarkable collapses is actually happening.
French Open: Sinner 6-3 6-2 5-7 1-6 0-2 Cerundolo
Thursday 28 May 2026 14:30 , Jamie Braidwood
I can’t remember EVER seeing a collapse like this. Juan Manuel Cerundolo has never won a match against a top-10, and was two sets down trailing 5-1 in the third, against the best player in the world on a 30-match winning streak.
Sinner has not lost to anyone since February. It’s been 26 years since the world No 1 lost at Roland Garros before the third round. Sinner, though, is fighting on, despite Cerundolo having points for a double-break lead in the fifth.
French Open: Sinner 6-3 6-1 5-7 1-6 0-1 Cerundolo*
Thursday 28 May 2026 14:20 , Jamie Braidwood
The opening smash from Sinner goes several feet beyond the baseline, then he slumps a forehand into the net to look at 0-30. Sinner then skips as he puts another drop shot into the net, and Cerundolo will have two break points.
Sinner saves the first two, but then misses the overhead on deuce by several feet. Cerundolo manages to hang up a miracle lob, catching the baseline, and Sinner completely misses the backhand, the ball sailing out!
Cerundolo BREAKS to start the fifth.
French Open: Sinner 6-3 6-1 5-7 1-6 0-0 Cerundolo
Thursday 28 May 2026 14:14 , Jamie Braidwood
Sinner remained on court after the fourth set, attempting to cool himself with a fan and ice. It’s his movement, though, that looks so severely. limited. If Cerundolo can keep it together, the upset will be his.
Unless Sinner finds a stunning recovery.
French Open: Sinner 6-3 6-1 5-7 1-6 Cerundolo
Thursday 28 May 2026 14:11 , Jamie Braidwood
FOURTH SET! Cerundolo serves it out to love. We’re going to five sets, and Cerundolo looks the favourite.
Sinner needs a miracle? The World No 1 has won just one of the last 12 games. Extraordinary.
French Open: Sinner 6-3 6-1 5-7 1-5 Cerundolo*
Thursday 28 May 2026 14:09 , Jamie Braidwood
Sinner slumps a drop shot into the net and is looking very weak indeed again, as if he is resigned to losing this set already. We’re about to go past the three-hour mark.
French Open: Sinner 6-3 6-1 5-7 1-4 Cerundolo*
Thursday 28 May 2026 14:04 , Jamie Braidwood
Three break points to Sinner, but he can’t take any of them! Cerundolo finds a brilliant forehand winner down the line, then stays alive in the point on 30-40. This time, Sinner barely moved for the Cerundolo winner, and he reacts by immediately stretching out his leg. Is that cramp, or something more?
Sinner is in serious, serious danger.
French Open: Sinner 6-3 6-1 5-7 1-3 Cerundolo*
Thursday 28 May 2026 14:00 , Jamie Braidwood
BREAK! Wow, another twist! Sinner can’t do enough with the drop volley and Cerundolo pushes the pass down the line to break in the fourth set. The 24-year-old, ranked 56th in the world, has never before reached the third round of a grand slam.
French Open: *Sinner 6-3 6-1 5-7 1-2 Cerundolo
Thursday 28 May 2026 13:55 , Jamie Braidwood
Sinner ends the run of games at seven - and then finds some power. A 108mph forehand is a sign that he has found some strength, and he works himself to two break points against the Cerundolo serve.
He can’t take either. Then, on a third, Cerundolo produces a wonderful lob to make Sinner move. Then the Argentinian produces a wonderful drop shot and ace to hold.
Some signs that Sinner is going to be up for the fight, though.
French Open: *Sinner 6-3 6-1 5-7 1-0 Cerundolo
Thursday 28 May 2026 13:47 , Jamie Braidwood
Jannik Sinner is doubled over between points and is struggling to move. It’s hard to imagine him playing another set like this, let alone winning one. Cerundolo, for his part, is keeping his focus. He holds to start the fourth set.
Meanwhile, we were bringing you updates on Moise Kouame’s second-round match against Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, as the 17-year-old Frenchman bids to back up his win over Marin Cilic. Vallejo has forced a fifth set, with Kouame needing to go the distance if he is to continue his breakthrough campaign.
French Open: Jannik Sinner returns to court
Thursday 28 May 2026 13:42 , Jamie Braidwood
That’s another 10 minutes between points for Jannik Sinner after leaving the court for a toilet break following the third set. This could be the most stunning collapse, but Sinner just needs to buy himself some time to recover: the thing is, the day is just getting hotter.
The fourth set is underway.
French Open: Cerundolo wins the third set!
Thursday 28 May 2026 13:36 , Jamie Braidwood
WOW! Juan Manuel Cerundolo breaks Jannik Sinner to win the third set, dragging the world No 1 into more punishment! Sinner leaves the court for more treatment.
Sinner has lost six games in a row to Cerundolo, having led 6-3 6-2 5-1, seemingly on the brink of the third round.
But as the temperature climbed in Paris, Sinner started to wilt in the Paris heat. He lost 15 points in a row before he took a medical timeout and left the court for treatment.
Once he returned, Cerundolo held to lead. Sinner slumped a forehand into the net when facing set point.
Is his French Open on the brink?
French Open: Cerundolo now leads Sinner 6-5 in third
Thursday 28 May 2026 13:29 , Jamie Braidwood
We thought this match was done. Jannik Sinner was on the brink of the third round, now Juan Manuel Cerundolo leads the third set 6-5.
Sinner has called for more treatment during the change-over. He has reportedly had his blood pressure taken, and he still looks pretty dizzy.
French Open: Cerundolo now leads Sinner 6-5 in third
Thursday 28 May 2026 13:29 , Jamie Braidwood
We thought this match was done. Jannik Sinner was on the brink of the third round, now Juan Manuel Cerundolo leads the third set 6-5.
Sinner has called for more treatment during the change-over. He has reportedly had his blood pressure taken, and he still looks pretty dizzy.
French Open: Juan Manuel Cerundolo is not happy
Thursday 28 May 2026 13:25 , Jamie Braidwood
Cerundolo is not happy that Sinner was allowed to leave the court mid-game, but the Italian has returned and has picked up his racket again.
Cerundolo has three break points to get back on serve after trailing 5-2 in the third set.... and Cerundolo has made it 16 points in a row to level the third set at 5-5!
There were 10 minutes between points.
French Open: Jannik Sinner calls medical timeout!
Thursday 28 May 2026 13:21 , Jamie Braidwood
Sinner’s last defeat at Masters level came when he was forced to retire from last season’s Shanghai Masters due to severe leg cramps amid extreme heat and humidity.
He then had a fortunate escape against Eliot Spizzirri in this season’s Australian Open, suffering cramps as temperatures reached 36 degrees before the tournament’s extreme heat rule was enforced and Sinner was able to recover before progressing in four sets.
Is it happening again?
French Open: JANNIK SINNER CALLS PHYSIO!
Thursday 28 May 2026 13:17 , Jamie Braidwood
Juan Manuel Cerundolo has won 15 points in a row against Jannik Sinner on Philippe-Chatrier! From 5-2 up, it’s now 5-4, 0-40, and Sinner is calling the physio!
WOW! The heat has got to Sinner! Here comes the trainer. This is extraordinary.
Sinner tells the trainer he feels dizzy and is about to vomit. He is heading off the court during the game.
French Open
Thursday 28 May 2026 13:15 , Jamie Braidwood
Jannik Sinner was broken when serving for the match, with Juan Manuel Cerundolo then holding to love... He will try again at 5-4 in the third.
Over on Suzanne-Lenglen, Adolfo Daniel Vallejo has broken back against Moise Kouame. That match has now extended past the three-hour mark and is turning into a bit of a classic to say the least! It’s 2-1 to Vallejo and the crowd are urging Kouame and trying to give the teenager some energy.
French Open: Kouame breaks first in fourth set
Thursday 28 May 2026 13:05 , Jamie Braidwood
Encroyable! Moise Kouame returns from a off-court break to get the crucial opening break in the fourth set! Adolfo Daniel Vallejo goes long after the baseline exchange with Kouame holding firm, and the teenager raises his arm in celebration.
Elsewhere, Jannik Sinner is one game away from the third round and beating the two-hour mark.
French Open: Vallejo wins third set against Kouame
Thursday 28 May 2026 12:52 , Jamie Braidwood
Adolfo Daniel Vallejo continues to raise the challenge to Moise Kouame and the Paraguayan has managed to subdue the Suzanne-Lenglen crowd with an excellent performance in the third set. Vallejo, 71 in the rankings, is also making his Roland Garros debut, and is very much in enemy territory here.
At the second attempt, Vallejo gets the break to win the third set 6-3. What that a dip from Kouame, or is he tiring? Either way, Vallejo has raised his level.
French Open: Sinner two sets up, Kouame down a break
Thursday 28 May 2026 12:31 , Jamie Braidwood
If Jannik Sinner has his eye on the clock, he’s looking at a 80-minute match so far as he races into a two-set lead over Juan Manuel Cerundolo. No trouble so far for Sinner, who has struggled with cramping in the heat in the past. The world No 1 would now like to get this done inside two hours, which looks a real possibility after taking a 6-3 6-2 lead over the Argentinian.
Moise Kouame has gone down a break to Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in the third set of what is turning into an epic on Suzanne-Lenglen. The 17-year-old Frenchman was also down a break in the second set, but will need to really from behind again if he is to win in straight-sets. Vallejo leads 3-1, on deuce on Kouame’s serve.
French Open: Naomi Osaka through, Moise Kouame two sets up
Thursday 28 May 2026 12:07 , Jamie Braidwood
That’s a very solid win for Naomi Osaka, who is through to the third round of the French Open for the fourth time. The 16th seed beats Donna Vekic 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 and is now set for an intriguing clash against Iva Jovic, the 17th seed who looked very impressive in thrashing Emma Navarro earlier. Osaka has never been past the third round in Paris.
Meanwhile, the roars around Roland Garros are for Moise Kouame, who is now two sets up on Adolfo Daniel Vallejo! The 17-year-old launched himself into a stunning crosscourt backhand on set point, and leads the Paris crowd to roar as he pumps his fists on the clay! Amazing scenes. The fans are loving this teenager and what an impact he is having already. He leads 6-3 7-5 after two hours.
French Open: Sinner wins first set, Kouame breaks back
Thursday 28 May 2026 11:46 , Jamie Braidwood
Just the 36 minutes on the clock for Jannik Sinner as he wins the first set 6-3 against Juan Manuel Cerundolo, so all going to plan so far for the world No 1 and tournament favourite who will be looking to get through as quickly as possibly today.
Moise Kouame, meanwhile, is preparing himself for a battle. After going a break down in the second, the Frenchman breaks back to lead Adolfo Daniel Vallejo by a set and 4-3. They have now played for 95 minutes, as we approach the business end of the second. It could go long.
French Open
Thursday 28 May 2026 11:41 , Jamie Braidwood
Iva Jovic is the first winner of the day, beating former US Open semi-finalist Emma Navarro 6-3 6-0. Jovic won the first nine games, then Navarro won three, then Jovic won three. Jovic, a quarter-finalist at the Australian Open this year, is through to the third round for the first time.
Elsewhere, it’s on serve between Osaka and Vekic in the second set, with the Croatian and Olympics runner-up Vekic 3-2 up after Osaka won the first.
Naomi Osaka chooses another bold French Open outfit after ‘fashion show’ criticism
French Open: Fast start for Jannik Sinner
Thursday 28 May 2026 11:21 , Jamie Braidwood
A quick start for Jannik Sinner under the noon sun in Paris. The world No 1 and big tournament favourite breaks the serve of Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the Argentinian’s opening game, jumping into a 3-0 lead without 10 minutes. Cerundolo defeated Britain’s Jacob Fearnley in straight sets in his first-round match on Tuesday.
Adolfo Daniel Vallejo has raised the challenge to Moise Kouame, taking the opening break to lead the second set 2-0 on Suzanne-Lenglen.
French Open: Naomi Osaka wins first set 7-6 (7-1)
Thursday 28 May 2026 11:14 , Jamie Braidwood
Osaka had a couple of set point chances on Vekic’s serve right at the end of the first set but took to the tiebreak and immediately jumped into a 6-0 lead against the Croatian, eventually winning it 7-1.
That’s a big step towards the third round, after a grueling 62-minute set in which Osaka twice trailed by a break and was one point away from trailing 1-4. A fine comeback and halfway there.
French Open: More history for Moise Kouame after winning first set
Thursday 28 May 2026 11:09 , Jamie Braidwood
After beating Marin Cilic in straight sets, and now taking the opening set against Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, Moise Kouame is apparently the youngest player to win his first four sets in a grand slam main draw since Boris Becker.
That’s according to Opta, who report that Becker did just that at Wimbledon in 1984.
French Open: Osaka surging, Kouame wins first set
Thursday 28 May 2026 11:03 , Jamie Braidwood
Moise Kouame raises his fist and points to his ear! The 17-year-old is using the home crowd to his advantage and takes the opening set against Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 6-3, with two breaks of serve. This is very impressive from the teenager and Roland Garros is roaring!
Naomi Osaka roars, too, and is now surging against Donna Vekic, winning two games in a row while her opponent served for the set to lead 6-5. Osaka has reached the third round of the French Open three times, but is yet to go further than that in six attempts.
Jannik Sinner is now on court on Philippe-Chatrier.
French Open
Thursday 28 May 2026 10:52 , Jamie Braidwood
Elsewhere, rising star Iva Jovic, the 17th seed, has raced to a 6-0 opening set against Emma Navarro in the all-American clash on Court 14. Flavio Cobolli, Italy’s exciting 10th seed, has won the opening set 6-4 against China’s Yibing Wu. Donna Vekic will now have the chance to serve for the set against Naomi Osaka, leading 5-4 after breaking back.
French Open: Osaka trails, Kouame leads in opening set
Thursday 28 May 2026 10:36 , Jamie Braidwood
Naomi Osaka is facing an early assault from Donna Vekic, who is going big on the returns and gets the opening break against the four-time grand slam champion. The Croatian had a break point to lead 4-1, by a double-break, but Osaka hangs on to keep it at 3-2.
Moise Kouame earns the opening break to lead Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 3-2 on Suzanne-Lenglen, to the delight of the French fans who, the teenager aside, have not had much to celebrate this tournament. Kouame has just hit a lovely disguised drop shot that sent Vallejo wrong-footed and tumbling to the clay.
French Open player reacts after being dumped by coach mid-tournament
Thursday 28 May 2026 10:28 , Jamie Braidwood
Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina says he was suddenly dumped by his coach over text and then ghosted by him between matches at the French Open.
The 21st seed claimed his Argentinian coach Mariano Puerta, a former French Open finalist, quit by sending him a long text message following his opening five-set win over Damir Dzumhur and flew to Miami without another word.
Davidovich Fokina was left without a coach for his second-round match defeat against the unseeded Thiago Agustin Tirante, who won in four sets on Wednesday. The Spaniard was left stunned by his coach’s abrupt departure, and claimed Puerta had blocked him and his wife online.
French Open player reacts after being dumped and ghosted by coach mid-tournament
Naomi Osaka criticised by opponent for breaking rules with French Open ‘fashion show’
Thursday 28 May 2026 10:12 , Jamie Braidwood
Naomi Osaka’s fashion choices weren’t to everyone’s taste after her first-round win. Defeated opponent Laura Siegemund had plenty to say afterwards...
Naomi Osaka criticised by opponent for breaking rules with French Open ‘fashion show’
French Open: Naomi Osaka reveals new outfit, Moise Kouame out on court
Thursday 28 May 2026 10:09 , Jamie Braidwood
A subtle shift in colour palette for Naomi Osaka ahead of her second-round match against Donna Vekic. The ‘night’ look she debuted in round one has shifted to a flowing gold train. Next door, Moise Kouame struggles to hide a smile from breaking across his face as he enters Court Suzanne-Lenglen, the second biggest show court at Roland Garros.
Jannik Sinner scheduled to play in hottest part of day in second round of French Open
Thursday 28 May 2026 09:57 , Jamie Braidwood
Jannik Sinner has been scheduled to play his second-round match at the French Open during the day, with the world No 1 set to face the hottest part of the afternoon as he bids to reach the third round and continue his winning streak.
Sinner will play Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the opening match on Court Philippe-Chatrier and at noon local time in Paris, with temperatures set to be at least 30 degrees as he bids to extend his winning streak to 31 matches and close in on the career grand slam with his first French Open title.
The Italian has previously struggled in hot conditions.
Sinner’s last defeat at Masters level came when he was forced to retire from last season’s Shanghai Masters due to severe leg cramps amid extreme heat and humidity. He then had a fortunate escape against Eliot Spizzirri in this season’s Australian Open, suffering cramps as temperatures reached 36 degrees before the tournament’s extreme heat rule was enforced and Sinner was able to recover before progressing in four sets.
Moise Kouame, 17, makes French Open history with victory over grand slam champion
Thursday 28 May 2026 09:55 , Jamie Braidwood
Moise Kouame became the youngest man to win a match at Roland Garros since 1991 as the teenage wildcard defeated former US Open champion Marin Cilic in straight sets on his first appearance at a grand slam tournament.
Here’s how he did it:
Moise Kouame, 17, makes French Open history with victory over grand slam champion
Novak Djokovic 'relieved' to pass big challenge against Valentin Royer
Thursday 28 May 2026 09:53 , Jamie Braidwood
Novak Djokovic will face Joao Fonseca in the third round after the 39-year-old was pushed to almost four hours by Valentin Royer on Wednesday
“Very happy and relieved to have got through, to have finished. Clearly the emotions are different when you win the match. Really, really important win for me. Difficult conditions for both of us, for both players. Really, really hot on the court. Valentin deserves a big round of applause for what he put out on the court.
"It's a really, really hard, a big challenge for me. Credit to him.
“He found his best game in that third set when I was serving for the match, a couple of times. I thought I might win it, but in the end these are the kinds of games that provide the challenges.
“I hope I don’t play against any other French player until the end of the tournament. That's enough for me! Goodness me, I played two matches and I feel like I've played for two weeks!”
French Open order of play - day five
Thursday 28 May 2026 09:50 , Jamie Braidwood
(all times BST)
Court Philippe-CHATRIER – 11:00am
- Jannik Sinner (ITA) (1) vs Juan Manuel Cerundolo (ARG)
- Ann Li (USA) (30) vs Diane Parry (FRA)
- Aryna Sabalenka (1) vs Elsa Jacquemot (FRA)
Night Session – Not before 7:15pm
- Arthur Rinderknech (FRA) (22) vs Matteo Berrettini (ITA)
Court Suzanne-LENGLEN – 10:00am
- Adolfo Daniel Vallejo (PAR) vs Moise Kouame (FRA)
- Julia Grabher (AUT) vs Amanda Anisimova (USA) (6)
- Coco Gauff (USA) (4) vs Mayar Sherif (EGY)
- Raphael Collignon (BEL) vs Ben Shelton (USA) (5)
Court Simonne-MATHIEU – 10:00am
- Donna Vekic (CRO) vs Naomi Osaka (JPN) (16)
- Francisco Cerundolo (ARG) (25) vs Hugo Gaston (FRA)
- Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) (4) vs Roman Andres Burruchaga (ARG)
- Victoria Mboko (CAN) (9) vs Katerina Siniakova (CZE)
Court 14 – 10:00am
- Iva Jovic (USA) (17) vs Emma Navarro (USA)
- Hubert Hurkacz (POL) vs Frances Tiafoe (USA) (19)
- Antonia Ruzic (CRO) vs Madison Keys (USA) (19)
- Matteo Arnaldi (ITA) vs Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE)
Court 7 – 10:00am
- Flavio Cobolli (ITA) (10) vs Yibing Wu (CHN)
- Diana Shnaider (25) vs Mccartney Kessler (USA)
- Maria Sakkari (GRE) vs Claire Liu (USA)
- Luca Van Assche (FRA) vs Brandon Nakashima (USA) (31)
Court 6 – 10:00am
- Facundo Diaz Acosta (ARG) vs Learner Tien (USA) (18)
- Anna Kalinskaya (22) vs Alina Korneeva
- Francisco Comesana (ARG) vs Luciano Darderi (ITA) (14)
- Katie Boulter (GBR) vs Anastasia Potapova (AUT) (28)
Good morning and welcome
Thursday 28 May 2026 09:50 , Jamie Braidwood
Day five of the French Open will be underway shortly and there is a lot to look out this morning in Paris.
First up, French teenager Moise Kouame will bid to back up his opening win over Marin Cilic after becoming the youngest player to win a match at Roland Garros since 1991. Kouame plays Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in the opening match on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.
Elsewhere, Naomi Osaka faces Donna Vekic on Court Simmone-Mathieu, following her show-stopping entrance for his first round win. Then, at around 11am BST, Jannik Sinner will be in action on the hottest part of the day against Juan Manuel Cerundolo.
