Blistering heat gets to Jannik Sinner as world number one loses in French Open second round

Sinner was leading 6-3, 6-2, 5-1 in his second round match with Cerundolo when he appeared to start suffering with cramping and dehydration amid soaring temperatures in Paris.

After losing 15 consecutive points, Sinner stopped playing when serving at 5-4, 0-40 in the third set and sat at the side of the court.

After Sinner returned to his feet and walked gingerly on the court, chair umpire Aurelie Tourte approached the Italian.

The world No 1 was then allowed to leave the court for around 10 minutes for a medical timeout.

Sinner continued to struggle after the match resumed, though, and world No 58 Cerundolo took the third set.

The top seed then left the court for another lengthy break, with TNT Sports commentator Nick Mullins saying he had spent 18 minutes off court in total.

Still struggling in the heat, Sinner went on to lose the fourth and fifth sets 6-1, exiting the French Open in only the second round as Cerundolo progressed.

Cerundolo, speaking on court after his five-set victory over world number one Jannik Sinner: "It's tough for him, he was leading the match and I couldn't win more than three games in a set.

"I was a little bit lucky and I feel sorry for him, he was serving to win the match. Then I don't know what happened, I think he was cramping. Of course I feel sorry for him and I hope he recovers."

On reaching the third round at a Grand Slam for the first time in his career: "I'm super happy, I will try to keep playing my best. I like to play this tournament because clay is my best surface and I hope to be ready for the next match." 

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