Tennis world number one Jannik Sinner crashed out of the French Open in scorching conditions on Thursday in one of the biggest upsets of the men’s tournament, while 17-year-old French hope Moise Kouamé became the youngest man to reach the third round of a Grand Slam since Rafael Nadal in 2003 – after a near five-hour marathon on his tournament debut.
Sinner’s shock exit came after the Italian faded badly in the Paris heat during a five-set defeat to world number 56 Juan Manuel Cerundolo on centre court.
The 24-year-old had been the overwhelming favourite for the clay-court Grand Slam after winning Masters 1000 titles in Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome, and arrived in Paris on a 30-match winning streak dating back to the Qatar Open in February.
But after cruising through the opening two sets, Sinner let slip two chances to close out the match in the third set while leading 5-2 and 5-4. Cerundolo eventually completed a remarkable comeback to win 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1.
Heat struggle
As temperatures climbed from 29C to 32C, Sinner began to wilt on the red clay.
The Italian bent over several times in apparent exhaustion and barely chased down shots late in the match as the momentum swung heavily towards Cerundolo.
During changeovers, Sinner tried to cool himself with a hand-held fan and wrapped bags of ice around his neck.
Between the third and fourth sets, he received medical treatment and left the court. Minerals were added to his drink when he returned, but he was unable to recover.
“It’s tough for him,” said Cerundolo. “He was winning the match. I couldn't win more than three games in any of the first two sets.
“I think I was a little bit lucky. He was serving to win this match but then I don't know what happened.
“But of course I feel sorry for him and I hope he recovers. I'm super happy. I'm going to keep trying to play my best tennis. I hope to be ready for the next match.”
Cerundolo, from Argentina, will face Martin Landaluce from Spain after he also overturned a two-set deficit to see off Vit Kopriva from the Czech Republic.
Teen breakthrough
While Sinner was collapsing on centre court, loud cheers echoed across Court Suzanne Lenglen as Kouamé produced the biggest win of his young career.
The wildcard survived a comeback from Paraguay’s Adolfo Daniel Vallejo to win 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 2-6, 7-6 (10/8) after four hours and 56 minutes.
After wins for Rafael Jodar and Joao Fonseca on Wednesday, it is the first time three teenagers have reached the third round of the men’s singles at the French Open since Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Gael Monfils in 2006.
Kouamé had become the youngest man to win a Grand Slam match in 17 years with his first-round victory over the 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic.
On Thursday, Kouamé powered into a two-set lead to the delight of the home crowd but started to fade in the baking heat as Vallejo fought back to level the match.
Vallejo then served for the match at 5-3 in the deciding set, but Kouamé dragged himself back from the brink to level at 5-5 before sealing victory in a tense super tie-break.
“I would not have won this match without you,” said Kouamé as he gestured towards the crowd during his on-court interview with former player Julien Benneteau.
“Thank you. Thank you,” Kouamé added. “You're probably more tired than me with all the cheering you were doing ... well at least it worked. Thank you.”
(with newswires)
