Juan Manuel Cerundolo turned the French Open 2026 on its head. In his second round game against overwhelming tournament favourite Jannik Sinner, he was two sets and 5-1 down in the third set. One game away from a straight sets loss. What followed was a dramatic turnaround that no one could have predicted. The script flipped in a remarkable fashion, handing Novak Djokovic a chance at grand slam number 25.
Sinner’s Clay Court season
Jannik Sinner has owned the 2026 clay court season. He has a huge winning streak stretching back to the Australian Open in January. Heading into Paris, Sinner looked untouchable as he tore through Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome. riding a long winning streak and sweeping the masters clay-court events. Who could possibly stop him from finally winning Roland Garros and the career slam.
Sinner led Juan Manuel Cerúndo 6–3, 6–2, 5–1 in the second round—just one game away from a routine straight-sets victory. The heat started to take a toll on the Italian in the match, Sinner was noticeably lacking energy, as the games slipped by he cramped and looked a shadow of his former.self in sets 1 and 2. Sinner was in serious trouble and lost, eventually falling 3–6, 2–6, 7–5, 6–1, 6–1.
Jannik, being the utmost professional, did not want to take away anything from his opponent’s great victory, no doubt his greatest victory on a tennis court. Sinner admitted afterwards that he felt “very low on energy” and unusually weak—rare admission of being human for a player who has dominated the tour over the past year.
A huge shock no doubt but with a short break Sinner will be back on court preparing for his next tournament most likely a Pre Wimbledon warmup.
Opportunity knocks for Zverev
Sinner knocked out and Carlos Alcaraz recuperating from his wrist injury, the men’s draw has suddenly opened up in a way few could have imagined. If you look at the top half of the draw, it’s wide open.
Experts and bookmakers now point to a new set of contenders. Sites like NetBet give the latest odds on Roland Garros. Alexander Zverev has moved into favourite status, while Djokovic was just behind him in the betting markets. That was until young huge hitting Joao Fonseca broke the Serbian down in 5 epic sets. Like Sinner, Djokovic was 2 sets up and cruising only to succumb in 5.
Sometimes despite what the media say and the form book, upsets do happen in sport. Statistics don’t tell the full story. There is a growing sense that, despite not being the outright favourite at the outset of the tournament, Zverev is the highest ranked player.
Why?
There is no other player with a proven record of winning Grand Slams and on clay. There has to be the chance of two complete surprises in the final. The big 3 now gone, Zverev perennial runner up could make it through to the final match but there is absolutely no guarantee.
The Pull of History
At 28 years old, Sascha Zverev is chasing something unprecedented—his first Grand Slam title. He has been touted for a long time. He suffered a first final loss in 2020 against Dominic Thiem and has been close before in the French Open against Carlos Alcaraz. He has also won the ATP World Tour Finals twice. He has now got a very good chance to finally get the monkey off his back.
Now, after Sinners and Djokovic’s high profile exits, that belief may feel more justified than ever. And this might be the opportunity.
Experience vs the Next Generation
Recent tennis results have largely been defined by the rise of Sinner and Alcaraz—two players who have shared recent Grand Slam titles and appeared to take control of the sport
Their absence at the French Open 2026 creates a rare vacuum.
Casper Ruud is also another French Open finalist who favours the clay. He has displayed mental resilience over five sets, tactical adaptability and although he has not got any huge weapons, he can grind opponents down. Ruud may not dominate, but he survives.
And in Grand Slams, survival often turns into triumph.
The Road to a Zverev slam: Realistic or Romantic?
Of course, the story is not straightforward Zverev’’s path is still filled with challenges. He may need to defeat in-form players like Tommy Paul, Frances Tiafoe and Cerundolo
There are also legitimate concerns around Zverev with
- His physical mental fortitude over 5 sets and 7 matches.
- Limited match play coming into the tournament
- The increasing intensity of younger opponents
Conclusion: From outsider to a possibility
Jannik Sinner’s shock defeat has done more than reshape the French Open—it has revived the fortunes of one of the best tennis players never to win a grand slam title.
What once looked like a procession for Sinner now carries the possibility of a historic win from one of the tour’s most loyal servants.
Alex Zverev, written off by some, now stands within reach of a very first Grand Slam title.
And in a tournament that has already delivered one of the biggest shocks in recent memory, it would be fitting if it ended with the crowning of a deserving new champion