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Juan Manuel Cerúndolo, after beating Sinner: 'I got lucky, I won't get arrogant'
🇦🇷 Argentina /Sports

Juan Manuel Cerúndolo, after beating Sinner: 'I got lucky, I won't get arrogant'

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Argentine tennis player Juan Manuel Cerúndolo defeated world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in a five-set thriller at Roland Garros.
  • Sinner experienced physical distress in the third set, which Cerúndolo acknowledged as a factor in his unexpected victory.
  • Cerúndolo advanced to the third round of the Grand Slam, expressing happiness and determination to continue playing his best tennis.

Juan Manuel Cerúndolo achieved a historic upset at Roland Garros, defeating world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in a grueling five-set match (3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1) that lasted three hours and 36 minutes. This remarkable victory propelled the 56th-ranked Argentine into the third round of the Grand Slam.

I had luck. I gave my best and tried to play my best tennis, but I won't get ahead of myself and say anything because I wasn't winning three games per set. The match was 6-3, 6-2, 6-1, and I think he cramped. I did my part well, but I don't want to say I beat him, because it was more an issue with him.

— Juan Manuel CerúndoloCerúndolo reflects on his victory over Sinner, acknowledging the opponent's physical issues.

After the match, Cerúndolo, while celebrating the most significant win of his career, remained grounded. He acknowledged that Sinner's physical struggles were pivotal to the outcome. The Italian dominated the first two sets, but his performance dramatically shifted in the third set as he began to feel unwell, losing 11 consecutive points. Cerúndolo capitalized on this momentum, narrowing the score and ultimately securing the win.

Cerúndolo expressed empathy for Sinner's situation, stating, "I had luck. I gave my best and tried to play my best tennis, but I won't get ahead of myself and say anything because I wasn't winning three games per set." He added, "The match was 6-3, 6-2, 6-1, and I think he cramped. I did my part well, but I don't want to say I beat him, because it was more an issue with him."

I told him I felt sorry for his injury. I hope he recovers. I told him I had been lucky.

— Juan Manuel CerúndoloCerúndolo expresses his sympathy to Jannik Sinner after the match.

Speaking to ESPN on the court, Cerúndolo conveyed his sympathy to Sinner, saying, "I told him I felt sorry for his injury. I hope he recovers. I told him I had been lucky." He also praised Sinner's character: "He is very correct, a gentleman, a great person, and I always wish him well because he is a phenomenon; he greeted me and congratulated me."

He is very correct, a gentleman, a great person, and I always wish him well because he is a phenomenon; he greeted me and congratulated me.

— Juan Manuel CerúndoloCerúndolo praises Jannik Sinner's character.

Cerúndolo's win marks his first advance to the third round of a Grand Slam. He is optimistic about his prospects, stating, "Yes, surely, I am very happy. I will continue trying to play my best tennis. This is my best surface, and I hope to be ready for the next match." Meanwhile, his older brother, Francisco Cerúndolo, also advanced to the second round of Roland Garros, defeating Hugo Gaston.

Yes, surely, I am very happy. I will continue trying to play my best tennis. This is my best surface, and I hope to be ready for the next match.

— Juan Manuel CerúndoloCerúndolo expresses his optimism and determination after reaching the third round.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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