Jannik Sinner endured a bruising physical test and a rare lapse in form before overcoming American outsider Eliot Spizzirri in four sets to reach the last 16 of the Australian Open.
The two-time defending champion dropped a set for the first time in 12 matches, battling through oppressive heat to secure a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win in three hours and 45 minutes on Rod Laver Arena. The world No 2 was broken six times in total and needed medical attention for cramp as temperatures soared towards 40C.
Sinner will face fellow Italian Luciano Darderi, the 22nd seed, in the fourth round as he continues his attempt to win a third consecutive Melbourne title, a feat achieved in the Open era only by Novak Djokovic.
Pre-match expectations of a routine win were quickly overturned as Spizzirri, ranked 85, exposed Sinner’s discomfort in the extreme conditions. Despite breaking early, the Italian repeatedly lost focus on serve, surrendering three breaks in the opening set as Spizzirri calmly closed it out in 43 minutes.
The American continued to apply pressure, breaking again at the start of the second set, leaving Sinner visibly frustrated. Gradually, however, the defending champion steadied himself, breaking back and reasserting control to level the match.
The third set proved the most dramatic. A punishing 20-shot rally left Sinner limping with severe cramp, and he fell 3-1 behind before the extreme heat rule was enforced. Play was suspended and the stadium roof closed, allowing Sinner a crucial recovery period.
When play resumed indoors, momentum shifted decisively. Sinner broke immediately, looked freer in movement, and closed out the set with authority. Although Spizzirri remained resilient in the fourth, trading breaks and refusing to yield, Sinner eventually imposed himself to seal the match.
“I struggled physically a bit today, as you saw,” Sinner said. “I got lucky with the heat rule and the roof closing. As time passed, I felt better and better, and I’m very happy about this performance.
“When you look back, in every big tournament I’ve had some really tough matches. Hopefully this gives me something positive for the next round.”
The win keeps Sinner on course for a place in history, though this encounter served as a reminder that even champions can be dragged deep under Melbourne’s unforgiving sun.
