Zverev Becomes French Open Favourite After Odds Spike to 32% Following Sinner Defeat
The men’s draw at the 2026 French Open has been turned upside down following Jannik Sinner’s stunning second-round defeat to Juan Manuel Cerundolo at Roland Garros.
Sinner entered the tournament as the overwhelming favorite after a dominant clay-court season that included multiple Masters 1000 titles and a lengthy winning streak. However, the world No. 1 suffered one of the biggest upsets of the tournament, dramatically reshaping the championship outlook in Paris.
With Sinner out of contention, Alexander Zverev has now moved to the top of the betting board as the favorite to win the men’s singles title. According to updated prediction markets, Zverev’s championship probability surged from just 8.5% before Sinner’s exit to 32% afterward.
The German has long been regarded as one of the strongest clay-court players on tour and is still searching for the first Grand Slam title of his career. Roland Garros has traditionally been his best opportunity, and with the draw now wide open, many believe this could finally be his breakthrough moment.
Novak Djokovic has also seen a major jump in his title chances. The 24-time Grand Slam champion reportedly climbed from a 6% chance to 20% after Sinner’s loss, immediately re-entering the conversation as a serious contender for another French Open crown.
Djokovic’s experience and success on the Paris clay make him a dangerous threat despite entering the tournament with lower expectations than in previous years. With several top contenders already eliminated or injured, the Serbian legend suddenly finds himself in a favorable position once again.
Casper Ruud, a two-time French Open finalist and one of the ATP Tour’s strongest clay-court specialists, currently sits third on the updated odds board with an 11% chance to capture the title.
Updated Men’s French Open Odds
- Alexander Zverev: 32%
- Novak Djokovic: 20%
- Casper Ruud: 11%
Sinner’s collapse was particularly shocking given his recent dominance. Reports indicated the Italian struggled physically during the match before Cerúndolo completed a remarkable comeback victory.
The remainder of the tournament now appears far more unpredictable, with several experienced clay-court players suddenly seeing a realistic path to the championship.
Credit: Information and odds data courtesy of Covers.com.
