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Two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner lives and breathes to fight another day.
The former world No.1 has survived a massive scare against little-known American Eliot Spizzirri to win in four sets.
Jannik Sinner has proceeded to the fourth round of the Australian Open.Credit: Getty Images
But the scoreline today only provides a glimpse into the drama of the day.
Sinner was down and out at one point, battling with cramp in the extreme heat, before the roof was closed under the tournament’s extreme heat policy.
The timing could not have been better for Sinner – and worse for Spizzirri. Sinner ultimately prevailed, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
Jannik Sinner struggled in the heat but ultimately prevailed to keep his AO title dreams alive. Credit: Eddie Jim
In a post-match interview, Sinner admitted he “got lucky with the heat rule”.
“I took my time [when play resumed] and, as the time passed, I felt better and better.
“Hopefully, this one can give me some positive [feelings] for the next round.”
This is the third-longest match Jannik Sinner has played at the Australian Open, and his longest win – even including his championship wins in 2024 and 2025.
The two matches he has played that were longer were:
- 4h00m – lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas in round four, 2023.
- 3h55m – lost to Denis Shapovalov in round one, 2021.
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