MELBOURNE: Jannik Sinner clawed his way back from the brink of a cramp-induced collapse to keep his Australian Open title defence on track after extreme heat forced play to stop on Melbourne Park’s outdoor courts.
In a gripping third-round contest at Rod Laver Arena, the Italian dropped his first set since October against inspired American Eliot Spizzirri and struggled physically under a relentless sun, at times barely able to move.
The turning point came when tournament officials invoked the extreme heat policy, closing the stadium roof and shifting conditions dramatically. Given respite from the searing heat, Sinner steadied himself and rallied to a 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-4 victory.
The world number one admitted he was “lucky” to play the final two sets indoors after cramps first struck his legs and then his arms.
“At the end of the day, tennis is a very mental game. I just tried to play as calm as possible,” Sinner said, before cutting short his on-court interview.
Sinner will face fellow Italian Luciano Darderi in the fourth round. Meanwhile, the heat shutdown suspended most outdoor matches for much of the afternoon, while play on the main showcourts continued under closed roofs.
