Jannik Sinner struggled with dizziness and was beaten by 56th-ranked Juan Manuel Cerundolo 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 after wasting two chances to serve for the match. On Novak Djokovic‘s side, he was defeated by Joao Fonseca, who became the first teenager to beat Djokovic at a Grand Slam. He did it with power, poise, and from two sets down, winning 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5.

With these results and the recent victory of Alexander Zverev, the fourth-round matchups are nearly set. Zverev will face Jesper de Jong, and Joao Fonseca will go up against Casper Ruud. Sinner’s conqueror is the only one left to play, as Juan Manuel Cerundolo will face Martin Landaluce in search of his ticket to the fourth round.

Updated bracket

The defeats of Novak Djokovic, who spoke about his retirement, and Jannik Sinner, who made no excuses regarding the schedule, surely position Alexander Zverev as one of the ultimate favorites to take home the Grand Slam. Here is how the bracket looks for the remainder of this great French Open:

Third Round (May 29-30)

• Juan Manuel Cerundulo vs. Martin Landaluce
• Matteo Berrettini vs. Francisco Comesana
• (19) Francis Tiafoe vs. Jaime Faria
• Raphael Collignon vs. Matteo Arnaldi
• (4) Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. (31) Brandon Nakashima
• Moise Kouame vs. Alejandro Tabilo
• (10) Flavio Cobolli vs. (18) Learner Tien
• (25) Francisco Cerundolo vs. Zachary Svajda

Round of 16 (May 31-June 1)

• (11) Andrey Rublev vs. (26) Jakub Mensik
• (28) Joao Fonseca vs. (15) Casper Ruud
• Pablo Carrena Busta vs. (27) Rafael Jodar
• Jesper de Jong vs. (2) Alexander Zverev

Remaining dates

The scheduled dates for the upcoming rounds of the Roland Garros are set for the following days, with the Quarterfinals taking place on June 2-3, the Semifinals on June 5, and the final on June 7. There are still many interesting players to watch, though the tournament feels a bit strange without the main protagonists present.

Sinner eventually fell 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 in a match that completely changed after the Italian held a 5-1 advantage in the third set. At one point, Sinner lost 18 consecutive points as Cerundolo suddenly took over while the top seed visibly struggled with energy, movement and cramping under difficult conditions.

The shocking elimination immediately sparked debate about whether Sinner’s demanding clay-court schedule finally caught up with him after titles in Monte-Carlo, Madrid and Rome leading into Roland Garros. However, the Italian admitted there is no guarantee extra rest would have changed the outcome.

“You don’t know. If I don’t play Madrid or I don’t play Rome, maybe I come here and still have a day like this where you feel sick. Looking back, it’s always very tough. I won 3 tournaments on clay. Incredible results. Amazing streak I’ve had. As I said in the beginning of the year, this was my main goal here. Early exit is not what I was looking for. But you also don’t know if things would’ve changed if I would’ve maybe skipped Madrid and only played Rome, or skipping Rome and to come here. You never know.”

Jannik Sinner reveals how physically exhausted he felt against Juan Manuel Cerundolo

Jannik Sinner later explained that his body completely broke down during the final stages of the match, forcing him to conserve energy in hopes of surviving long enough to compete in the fifth set. The Italian admitted he could barely recover physically as the momentum shifted entirely toward Cerundolo.

“As I said, the fourth set I let go to recover physically. Fifth set we all know everything can happen. Yeah, it was tough. I was in a tough spot in the fourth and also in the fifth at some point. I really was. I didn’t have energy, really. I was very flat. The whole body. I don’t remember the last time I felt this weak. It is what it is. I tried to stay there with all I had today. This was the maximum I had. It’s a pity because I was playing really well the first couple of sets. Also, the third set I was playing really well. That’s the sport.”

Despite the painful defeat, Sinner still refused to make excuses for the loss and acknowledged the incredible clay-court run he produced before arriving in Paris. Now, after one of the most physically exhausting stretches of his career, attention immediately shifts toward whether the Italian superstar can recover in time to remain a favorite at Wimbledon and later the US Open.

The world No. 1 suffered a dramatic collapse against Juan Manuel Cerundolo despite appearing firmly in control of the match earlier in the day. After the loss, Sinner shared a short but revealing message that immediately generated massive reactions online, especially because the Italian star hinted that rest and recovery have now become priorities after an exhausting stretch of tournaments.

“It was not my day today. We’ve had an incredible year so far but now I need some time off. Thank you all for the amazing support and congrats to Juan Manuel Cerundolo on a solid match. See you soon. Au revoir, Paris.”

Jannik Sinner sends emotional message after loss at 2026 Roland Garros

The message comes after an extraordinary run on clay in which Jannik Sinner captured big titles in Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome, establishing himself as the overwhelming favorite to win the French Open before his surprising second-round exit in Paris.

While Sinner did not directly blame fatigue for the defeat, his comments strongly suggest the physical demands of the clay-court season may have finally caught up with him. The Italian played one of the heaviest schedules among top players this spring, leaving little time for recovery between tournaments.

Many analysts and former players have already questioned whether competing deep into Monte-Carlo, Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros without significant rest ultimately contributed to the physical breakdown he experienced against Cerundolo. During the match, Sinner appeared visibly exhausted, dehydrated and low on energy as momentum completely shifted.

Jannik Sinner will play at Wimbledon

Now, attention immediately turns toward Wimbledon and later the US Open, two tournaments where Sinner is still expected to be one of the main favorites. However, his social media message makes it clear that recovery could become the most important part of his preparation moving forward.

Despite the disappointment in Paris, Sinner’s overall 2026 season remains spectacular. He continues to hold the No. 1 ranking in the world and has already built one of the strongest campaigns of his career. But after the brutal collapse at Roland Garros, the Italian star appears to understand that balancing success and recovery may be the key if he wants to continue chasing Grand Slam titles later this year.

Sinner led 5-1 in the third set and seemed completely in control before losing an astonishing 18 consecutive points as Cerundolo mounted an unforgettable comeback. The Argentine eventually stunned the tournament favorite with a 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 victory that instantly became one of the biggest upsets in recent French Open history.

After the match, Sinner admitted he began physically breaking down during the turning point of the contest. “I struggled and started to feel very dizzy. Very low of energy. I woke up this morning and didn’t feel very well. I tried to keep the points short. Also in the beginning I was hitting very clean and then I just kind of hit the wall. That’s it.”

Jannik Sinner’s brutal collapse raises major questions after Roland Garros upset

The defeat is especially stunning because Jannik Sinner entered Roland Garros as the overwhelming favorite to win the tournament and complete the Career Grand Slam, particularly after Carlos Alcaraz’s absence opened the draw significantly. Instead, the Italian leaves Paris far earlier than anyone expected after a match where his physical condition visibly deteriorated in the final three sets.

The collapse immediately triggered debate across the tennis world about whether Sinner’s demanding clay-court schedule finally caught up with him. Before arriving at Roland Garros, the world No. 1 played deep runs in Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome, leaving very little time for recovery during one of the most physically exhausting stretches of the season.

Despite the criticism surrounding his schedule management, Sinner refused to make excuses or diminish Cerundolo’s performance. “Congrats to him. I don’t want to take anything away from him. He played a very solid match, especially in the end. That’s the sport.”

2026 Roland Garrios has been played under extreme conditions in Paris

There was also heavy discussion about the extreme weather conditions in Paris, especially as Sinner appeared dehydrated, cramped and increasingly exhausted late in the match.

However, the Italian clarified that the heat itself was not the only issue affecting him physically. “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, but again, this can happen.”

For Cerundolo, the victory instantly becomes the biggest moment of his career and one of the defining wins of the entire tournament. For Sinner, meanwhile, the loss could become one of the most painful defeats of his career considering how close he appeared to advancing before everything completely changed.

The result also leaves Roland Garros suddenly wide open. With Sinner eliminated and Alcaraz absent, the men’s draw has transformed dramatically in a matter of days, creating one of the most unpredictable French Opens in recent memory. Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic are suddenly favorites to win the trophy.

How to watch Jannik Sinner vs Casper Ruud in the USA

Viewers in the United States will have multiple easy ways to catch every moment of this highly anticipated showdown. Fans preferring to watch digitally can follow the action live on DirecTV Stream and Fubo, offering complete access throughout the entire match.

Meanwhile, audiences who enjoy watching through traditional TV can also tune in on Tennis Channel. With excitement surrounding this matchup continuing to grow and an entertaining battle expected on the court, this is an event tennis fans will not want to miss.

Can I watch Jannik Sinner vs Casper Ruud for free?

Fans across the USA will be able to stream the full contest live on DirecTV Stream and Fubo, as both platforms are providing free five-day trial access for eligible new users.

These special offers allow viewers to follow every moment of the game at no initial cost, making it easy to tune in live and decide afterward if they want to remain subscribed to either streaming service.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The stage is set for a high-stakes final as Jannik Sinner and Casper Ruud prepare to battle for the title in what promises to be a hard-fought showdown.

Sinner punched his ticket to the championship match after surviving a grueling three-set clash against Daniil Medvedev, rallying for a 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 victory to continue his impressive run of finals this season.

Standing in his way is Ruud, who cruised through the semifinals with a dominant 6-2, 6-2 win over Luciano Darderi. Now, with the trophy on the line, the Norwegian star will look to snap Sinner’s title streak and deliver his biggest performance yet.

What time is the Jannik Sinner vs Casper Ruud match?

The match kicks off today, May 17, at 11:00 AM (ET). For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

Eastern Time: 11:00 AM
Central Time: 10:00 AM
Mountain Time: 9:00 AM
Pacific Time: 8:00 AM

“I struggled a bit to sleep last night. It was a situation I hadn’t been in yet, where you need to finish when you’re nearly done with the match. You sleep, but you don’t know how you’re going to feel the next day,” Sinner revealed to the media during his post-match press conference.

While Sinner looked uncharacteristically sluggish at times against Medvedev, his raw talent ultimately carried him through the adversity. Having already eclipsed Novak Djokovic’s historic Masters record with his earlier win over Andrey Rublev, the world’s top-ranked player is now locked in on capturing a monumental title on home soil against Ruud.

The final matchup promises plenty of respect, as Ruud spent the earlier part of the week praising Sinner’s tactical evolution, silencing critics who had previously questioned the Italian’s ceiling and his ability to sustain this historic career run.

Sinner’s grueling road to the Rome final

Though Sinner attributed his uneven play against Medvedev to a lack of rest, the Italian superstar has put on an absolute clinic throughout an intense tournament, proving to the tennis world that he is a threat to dominate on any surface.

Navigating this kind of physical toll is simply the reality Sinner must accept at this stage of his meteoric rise. With Roland Garros looming on the horizon to host the world’s elite, his ability to manage his body in Rome will be the ultimate test of his championship mettle.

These are Sinner’s performance so far at Italian Open:

While Sinner is now the new owner of the record for the longest winning streak in Masters 1000 events with 33 triumphs, he still has a long way to go to claim the absolute record on the ATP Tour.

Djokovic currently holds the record for the longest winning streak in ATP Tour history (since 1990), having achieved 43 consecutive victories between 2010 and 2011. It remains a difficult milestone for Sinner to overtake, though the Italian recently surpassed Andre Agassi on the all-time list to claim seventh place with his 28 victories.

The top eight list

Should the World No. 1 extend his current streak, he could soon bypass Pete Sampras, who sits just one win ahead of him. However, reaching the absolute summit of the leaderboard will be a monumental challenge for the Italian.

Top 8 longest winning streaks (since 1990):

Sinner going for Career Golden Masters

Following his victory over Medvedev, Sinner is now preparing to face Casper Ruud in the grand final in Rome. In addition to the opportunity to become the first Italian to win the tournament since Adriano Panatta lifted the title in 1976, the World No. 1 could also complete his Career Golden Masters—winning all nine Masters 1000 tournaments at least once.

The only player in tennis history to achieve this feat is Novak Djokovic, who remarkably did so on two separate occasions. He first completed the sweep in 2018 at the Cincinnati Masters, before repeating the achievement at the same tournament in 2020.

With his 6-2, 6-4 victory over Rublev, Sinner became only the second player to reach the semifinals at the first five Masters 1000 events of a season, a feat Nadal achieved in 2010 and 2011.

Sinner is now preparing to face Daniil Medvedev on Friday, May 15, as he hunts for a spot in the grand final, where he could potentially face Luciano Darderi or Casper Ruud. The World No. 1 is in pursuit of his first title in Rome, aiming to become the second Italian player to win the tournament since Adriano Panatta in 1976.

Sinner chasing Djokovic’s Career Golden Masters record

The World No. 1 is currently displaying an incredible level of play, having not lost a match since February 19, when he fell to Jakub Mensik in the Qatar Open final. Now, Sinner is moving closer to lifting his first Rome Masters title, which would allow him to continue setting new benchmarks.

If the Italian is crowned champion, he would become the first player to win six Masters 1000 titles in a row since the format began in 1990. Furthermore, with a victory, Sinner would achieve the Career Golden Masters—winning all nine Masters 1000 tournaments at least once—becoming only the second player in history to accomplish this feat after Djokovic (2018, 2020).

Sinner doesn’t play for the records

Following the victory over Rublev, the Italian noted in his press conference that he does not play to break records, but simply to write his own history.

“I don’t play for records,” Sinner said, according to the ATP website. “I play for my own story. At the same time, it means a lot to me. But tomorrow is another day, a different opponent, different conditions… Emotionally, it takes a lot playing here at home. But at the same time, I definitely try to do my best. It was a good day today”.

Sinner’s triumph marks his 32nd consecutive win at the Masters level, breaking Djokovic’s storied record for the longest winning streak in the history of the format. Given his current torrid pace, the World No. 1 appears well-positioned to extend that historic mark even further as the tournament progresses.

The milestones don’t stop there. Sinner has now claimed 64 of his last 66 sets in Masters events, a staggering display of dominance. The Italian superstar continues to prove that regardless of the surface or the stakes, he is in a league of his own, rewriting the record books with every match.

Having recently surpassed Roger Federer’s personal best Masters streak, Sinner’s latest feat against Rublev serves as a definitive statement. This isn’t just a hot streak; it is a total takeover of the ATP circuit by a player firmly in his prime.

Sinner’s eye-popping stats by the numbers

The Italian star has signaled to the rest of the tour that he has evolved past the hurdles of last season, including his high-profile battles against rivals Carlos Alcaraz and Djokovic.

A closer look at Sinner’s historic run through the Masters 1000 circuit:

• 32 consecutive Masters 1000 match wins (All-time record)
• 18th career Masters semifinal at just 24 years old
• 50th overall career semifinal
• 2nd semifinal appearance in Rome
• 49–2 record over his last 51 matches

What’s next for Sinner in Rome?

With a spot in the semifinals secured, Sinner now awaits the winner of the clash between Casper Ruud and Luciano Darderi. Ruud has already weighed in on Sinner, offering high praise for the Italian’s evolving and nearly impenetrable baseline style.

“I see a lot of people saying he’s a bit too much of a robot. When you realize how difficult tennis is, if you can make it look robotic, it shows how good you are,” Ruud told the media as tournament play kicked off Sunday.

As Sinner continues to cement his place in tennis history—dominating across multiple surfaces—his peers are increasingly looking to his consistency as the gold standard for the modern game.

After matching Roger Federer’s mark for the longest Masters winning streak with his victory at the Madrid Open, Sinner remains the primary talking point of the tour. Now, all eyes are on the young phenom to see if he can carry this momentum into a high-stakes run at the French Open.

Ben Shelton joins the chorus of praise

Alongside Ruud, American star Ben Shelton also weighed in on Sinner’s recent form and the criticism surrounding his efficiency. “I’ve played him a lot when he’s been hot, and he’s caught fire again. Greatness is defined by what you do over a calendar year. The level he’s sustained tournament after tournament is what’s truly impressive,” Shelton remarked.

With both players vocal in their admiration, Sinner enters the upcoming draw as the undisputed main attraction and the heavy favorite to hoist the trophy on home soil.

Sinner reflects on home-court emotions

With the world No. 1 focused on a deep run in Rome, Sinner shared a rare personal moment regarding having his parents in the stands for his debut. “It’s very nice; I don’t get to see them as often as other players might. I’m very happy to share these moments with them. They’re wonderful parents,“ Sinner told reporters.

By securing the win over Ofner in the Round of 64, Sinner has officially matched Federer’s mark of 29 consecutive victories in Masters 1000 events. He will have the opportunity to surpass the Swiss legend on Monday, May 11, when he faces the winner of the match between Alexei Popyrin and Jakub Mensik.

Currently, Novak Djokovic holds the absolute historical record for the longest Masters winning streak, having secured 31 consecutive wins in 2011 and another 30 between 2014 and 2015. If Sinner reaches the semifinals in Rome, he could potentially stand alone at the top of that list.

Sinner aims for the Career Golden Masters

The Italian is on the verge of rewriting tennis history in the Eternal City. Beyond the winning streak, Sinner is chasing a milestone that would see him join the most elite company in the sport’s history. Should he claim the trophy this week, Sinner would achieve the Career Golden Masters—winning all nine ATP Masters 1000 tournaments at least once.

To date, Djokovic is the only player to have achieved this feat, doing so twice. The 24-time Grand Slam champion first completed the set in 2018 at Cincinnati and repeated the achievement at the same venue in 2020.

Ending a national drought

Sinner also carries the hopes of the home crowd as he looks to make Italian history. If he captures the title, he will become the first Italian man to win in Rome since Adriano Panatta in 1976, ending a half-century wait for a homegrown champion at the Foro Italico.