World No. 2 Jannik Sinner weathered a punishing afternoon and a spirited challenge to advance to the fourth round of the Australian Open on Saturday, January 24, in Melbourne. The defending champion outlasted American Eliot Spizzirri in a grueling four-set encounter at Rod Laver Arena.

Sinner dropped the opening set as Spizzirri dictated play with aggressive shot-making and forced the Italian into extended rallies. The early momentum put pressure on the reigning champion as temperatures continued to climb inside the stadium.

The physical toll became evident midway through the match as Sinner began to struggle with cramps and called for medical attention. His movement was visibly affected as the contest stretched deeper into the third set.

Heat interruption shifts the match

With Spizzirri leading 3-1 in the third set, officials suspended play to close the retractable roof under the tournament’s extreme heat policy. The pause proved pivotal, allowing Sinner time to recover and reset after battling mounting physical discomfort.

When play resumed, Sinner adjusted his tactics by shortening points and leaning heavily on his serve. The shift paid off as he clawed back control and closed out the third set with a well-timed ace.

Sinner steadies to finish the job

Still limited physically, Sinner remained composed in the fourth set and began to apply steady pressure on Spizzirri’s service games. The Italian’s experience showed as he forced errors and capitalized on key moments late in the set.

Sinner eventually broke through to seal a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory, ending Spizzirri’s impressive run. He acknowledged the difficulty of the match, admitting the heat interruption played a role in his turnaround.

The four-time Grand Slam champion will next face fellow Italian Luciano Darderi with a quarterfinal berth on the line. His title defense remains intact as he continues his pursuit of a third straight Australian Open crown.