Limping and trying desperately to stretch the spasms of his arms and legs, Janic Sinner He had just missed a break in the third set when extreme heat rules saved him at the Australian Open.
Play was halted for several minutes Saturday afternoon as the roof of Rod Laver Arena closed and the two-time defending champions returned a revived man.
While appearing to be on the verge of an unexpected exit – one of his coaches, Darren Cahill, was urging the 24-year-old Italian to stay out for a few more games – Sinner won five of the next six games to clinch the set against the No. 85-ranked No. 85. Eliot Spizzirri.
There was a 10-minute “cooling break” between the third and fourth sets – another allowance under the excessive heat policy – and Sinner stormed back for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 third-round victory that highlighted the dramatic contrast of intense light and shadow.
“I struggled physically today. I got lucky with the heat regimen,” Sinner said, agreeing that the cooler conditions indoors were far more suitable for him than the energy-sapping heat of the first two sets. “As time went on, I felt better and better.”
Reflecting on his situation when he trailed 3-1 in the third set as he had lost several service games in this match to win the 2025 tournament, the No. 2-seeded Sinner said he was just trying to survive the long break.
“It started in the legs. Moved to the arms. I was having little cramps all over my body,” he said. “It’s the game. It’s an area I know I need to improve on.”
“Tennis is a very mental game. I tried to stay as calm as possible. I’m here to fight, to play every point in the best possible way.”
The 24-year-old American Spizziri, who was making his Australian Open main draw debut, had never won three consecutive matches on the elite tour. Yet he converted six of his 16 breakpoint opportunities against Sinner. No one had served more than the Italian here since the 2024 final against Daniil Medvedev.
In the second set, Sinner was ordered a rare time violation by umpire Fergus Murphy as he was preparing to serve. In a display of sportsmanship, Spizzirri interfered, approaching the umpire and saying he was not ready to receive.
The American had the crowd, until Sinner’s movement was virtually disrupted.
But as the glare wore off, the temperature dropped in the third and fourth sets and the heat emanating from the court subsided, Sinner regained her confidence.
He will next play against fellow Italian Luciano Darderiwho beat number 15 Karen Khachanov 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Three Italian men advance to the round of 16 with No. 5 Lorenzo Musetti spanking Tomas Machak 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 in a match at John Cain Arena that had to be stopped briefly in the fifth set to allow the roof to close.
number 8 ben shelton Beat valentin vacherot Monaco, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(5) at the Margaret Court Arena and was happy that the roof was closed before she even stepped onto the court.
“The noise increased here today with the roof closed,” Shelton told the crowd. “If this roof had been open today, I don’t know if I would have been able to go this distance.”
Asking the crowd to remain calm, he said, “My work is not done yet. I hope you guys will come back in two days, because I still have a lot to prove here.”
Play on outdoor courts was suspended for at least three hours on Saturday afternoon under extreme heat rules at the Australian Open.
When the extreme heat policy was implemented the temperature was around 35 °C (95 Fahrenheit) – the heat scale at the tournament was a maximum of 5. The maximum temperature was estimated to be 40 °C (104 Fahrenheit).
The 10-time champions took part in the night session at Rod Laver Arena novak djokovic She continued her quest for a record 25th Grand Slam singles title. Djokovic plays Boutique Van De Zandschulp In the first match of the evening.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
