Australian Open: Jannik Sinner recovered physically in the middle of the match and reached the quarterfinals | Tennis news
World No. 1 and defending champion Jannik Sinner made a mid-match comeback to reach the quarter-finals of the Australian Open after seeing off Holger Rune 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-2.
The Italian, who skipped pre-match training, struggled in the heat in Melbourne, calling a medical timeout – during which the tournament doctor took his pulse – after two grueling service games midway through the third set.
Rune was also feeling the heat, as there was a bizarre stalemate at the start of the fourth set when Sinner broke the net with a serve to the Italian’s advantage.
“It was very, very difficult. I tried to stay there mentally,” Sinner said after securing a place in the quarter-finals against Australian No. 1 Alex de Minaur or 20-year-old American Alex Michelsen.
“This morning was a very strange morning. I didn’t even warm up today, trying to get on the court as fit as possible. I knew in my mind that I was going to struggle today. As for the game, I played very well. Quality shots that gave me the strength to I keep fighting.”
In his press conference, Sinner added about his struggles: “I didn’t feel very well. I think we saw that today. I already talked to the doctor before going on the field. I was dizzy at times. I don’t want to go into details.”
The number one also admitted that the broken net was very lucky, saying: “At the moment, 20 minutes out on the court, trying to physically come back, putting some cold water on my head, it was very helpful. It was very, very lucky for me today.”
It was hot and humid at Melbourne Park and Sinner started to look very lethargic during the latter stages of the second set.
You could see him shaking for one shift, and Rune tried to increase the pressure early in the third, and Sinner saved three break points, one with a volley into the open court after an incredible 37-shot rally.
At 3-2, Sinner called a trainer and a doctor and had his oxygen levels taken before leaving the court, a little more than 10 minutes into the break.
He then managed to regain control, breaking Rune’s serve in a long eighth game, and the Dane then took his own timeout due to knee pain.
Sinner successfully served out the set and, early in the second game of the fourth game, the 23-year-old’s serve broke the tie that connects the middle of the net to the court.
It took 20 minutes, as the players went off the field, to sort out the problem, and Sinner made short work of the rest of the fight down the stretch.
The Italian has now won 18 matches in a row until his final loss to Carlos Alcaraz in Beijing in early October.
Rune didn’t mind Sinner’s medical timeout, but felt it changed the momentum of the match.
“I think it’s all right for you to check,” Rune said. “Today was a very warm day, although there was no sun the entire time. It was very humid so I felt it too.
“I think it took longer than I expected. So it was a bit brutal in the middle of the set. I just couldn’t go on. I had good momentum at this point. So it wasn’t the worst moment on his part.
“Especially when I have a break of 10-12 minutes, it’s a bit difficult for me to sit in the heat and cook outside.
“They checked him on the field and the referee said he needed more checks to make sure he was OK. Then he came back shooting, so I don’t know what they did.”
Sonego completes teenage Tien’s dream run
Countryman joined Sinner in the quarter-finals Lorenzo Sonegowho reached this stage in a Grand Slam for the first time after ending the streak of 19-year-old American Learner Tien with a 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-1 victory.
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