Who is Juan Manuel Cerundolo? Argentine Nadal regen shocks Jannik Sinner at French Open
Juan Manuel Cerundolo came from 2-5 down in the third set to produce a stunning result against Jannik Sinner at Roland Garros. The win sent the Argentine into a first Grand Slam third round and opened up a possible meeting with brother Francisco.
When Juan Manuel Cerundolo entered the Philippe-Chatrier court on Thursday, May 28, he knew the monumental task ahead of him at that moment. He was going up against the World No.1 Jannik Sinner, who was the odds-on favourite this season and on his way to completing a career grand slam.
Sinner was on a 30-match winning streak and secured an easy win into the second round. The first two sets and half of the third one had the tabloids getting their headlines ready for a routine Sinner win. But at the moment, the Italian started to cramp up and suffered a sensational drop-off. Cerundolo capitalised on this and mounted a sensational comeback.
He was trailing 2-5 at that time and then went on to win 17 points while dropping just two as he claimed the best win of his career and progressed to the third round for the first time in a grand slam.
So who is Juan Manuel Cerundolo, who became the new darling of Roland Garros with his 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1,6-1 win over the World No.1?
WHO IS JUAN MANUEL CERUNDOLO?
Nicknamed as Juanma, Cerundolo comes with a tennis lineage. His father, Alejandro, played professionally in 1980s and his brother Francisco, is seeded No.25 at this year's French Open.
Juan started playing tennis at the age of three and quickly found a liking for fellow left-hander Rafael Nadal, because of his playing style and fighting for every ball.
Much like the legendary Spaniard, Juan also loves the clay court and the French Open the most.
"I try to play my best. I'm gonna keep trying to play my best, of course it's a tournament. I really like to play because of the clay is my best surface, so I hope to be ready for the next match," said Cerundolo after beating Sinner.
Juan came to Roland Garros ranked 56 on the ATP rankings, but the win over Sinner means that he could break into the top 50 for the first time in his career.
This was the second time he faced Sinner in his career, losing their first meeting at Wimbledon 2023.
Cerundolo has already made a mark on the ATP Tour, enjoying a breakthrough moment on home soil in Cordoba in 2021. Then just 19 years old and ranked World No. 355, he stormed through qualifying and won eight matches in nine days to clinch the title in his ATP Tour main-draw debut.
He later reached another tour-level final in Gstaad last year, where he finished runner-up to Alexander Bublik after a three-set battle.
CERUNDOLO VS CERUNDOLO AT FRENCH OPEN?
Juan and Francisco could be on collision course when it comes to the French Open. Francisco, who was facing Hugo Gaston in the second round while Juan was taking on Sinner, won his match to progress to the next round.
"I'm sorry for the French people, but I hope my brother wins. All the families here also supporting, so I hope he wins," said Cerundolo.
Juan Manuel and Francisco also etched their names into ATP Tour history last year in Buenos Aires, becoming only the fourth pair of brothers since 2000 to face each other on the tour. The sibling showdown took place in the second round of their home ATP 250 event.
If things go their way, both men could face off against each other in the semi-final of the tournament. For Juan, the next challenge will come in the form of Martin Landulace or Vit Kopriva.