Roland Garros also loses Novak Djokovic, finally seeing Joao Fonseca's star shine, as he advances to the round of 16. Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner is looking ahead to a brief hiatus for medical checks and recovery following his shock elimination. Djoko, the only Grand Slam winner still in the competition, exits after a marathon five-hour match, with the young Brazilian prevailing 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 7-5. Perhaps the Serbian is saying goodbye to Paris for the last time. Tomorrow, Italians Flavio Cobolli, Matteo Arnaldi, and Matteo Berrettini return to the Parisian clay.
After his blackout on center court Philippe-Chatrier against Argentine Juan Manuel Cerundolo, Sinner is expected to be sidelined for three weeks, including rest, tests, and recovery. "He could start training again in about ten days," say well-informed sources in Paris, specifying that the Rome International champion left the French capital this morning. " He's back home," the sources add, without specifying whether his destination is San Candido or Monte Carlo. The goal for the South Tyrolean, who yesterday dashed his dream of winning the only Grand Slam title he had yet to win, is to return to the court at Wimbledon, exactly one month from now, on June 29th. After all, he himself stated as much yesterday when addressing reporters from around the world in Paris. Sinner is in dire need of recovery, including mental recovery, after the sudden illness he suffered yesterday.
The defeat of the twenty-four-year-old—until two days ago the overwhelming favorite in Paris and one who seemed destined only to be handed the Cup—restores hope to many. Starting with the overwhelming favorite, world number three Zverev, who has the opportunity of a lifetime, and eighteen-year-old Fonseca, galvanized by today's victory over Djoko, the latest star to be defeated at Roland Garros. But there are still plenty of Italians in the competition.
(Unioneonline)
