Yannick Sinner (Italy) suffered cramps in the extreme Australian heat and lost his first set since October, but still as the defending champion of the “Australian Open“ fought his way into the fourth round with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory over American Elliott Spizziri.
In extraordinary scenes on “Rod Laver Arena“, looking desperate - the Italian went to his team box midway through the match and was told by coach Darren Cahill to somehow play out the third set if necessary to get a break.
After his serve was broken a point later and he was already trailing 1-3, Sinner took advantage of the organisers' policy of closing the roof due to the hot weather. This proved crucial as, when play resumed, Sinner broke Spizziri twice to take the set, and again in the seventh game - this time at break point, in the final set. Thus, the Italian achieved one of the most dramatic victories of his still short career.
But, justifying himself by wanting to start his recovery as quickly as possible, Sinner even interrupted the interview on the court, saying quickly: “Today I fought a little more physically for my survival. I know I was lucky after they closed the roof according to the heat policy. And I didn't rush this match. From point to point to point I felt better“.
Asked about the cramps he got in his legs, he explained that it wasn't just that. “I felt the cramps everywhere a little bit. And it first started in my hands, then it moved to my legs. That's sport and I know that this area needs work to improve. But tennis is above all a smart game and I had to play as calmly as possible, which worked“.
After the success, Sinner will have a meeting with his compatriot Luciano Darderi for a place in the quarterfinals and possibly fight for a third consecutive title at “Melbourne Park“. Last year, Sinner also had problems with the heat, struggling with Holger Rune in the fourth round. Darderi, on the other hand, eliminated Karen Khachanov (Russia) with 7:6 (7:5), 3:6, 6:3, 6:4.
The champion did not expect it, but his streak of 12 consecutive matches without a lost set, dating back to the tournament in Vienna last year, was interrupted when an inspired Spizziri came back from 2:4 down to take the first set. He then broke the Italian in the first game of the second set but let the momentum slip with a sloppy serve. Sinner took the next three games and fought off break points before levelling the match. Then it was time for the first massage in the break.
There was one key moment in the second set when, at 4-4, Spizziri could have sent the match in a different direction. But the American froze on a break point at 4-4, losing serve with a double fault. Sinner went through the epic 76-minute set without a loss, hitting an ace to secure an extended 10-minute break between sets. However, Spizziri was far from done, after increasing the pressure on Sinner's serve and breaking him in the fourth game of the fourth set with a skillful drop volley.
However, this was only a fleeting triumph, as Sinner immediately returned to his game and, chasing drop shots, left no more hope for his opponent.
In a five-set thriller, another Italian - Lorenzo Musetti - dealt with Tomas Machac (Czech Republic), who eliminated Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov. Musetti won 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2, while the number 7 in the tournament schedule Ben Shelton (USA) went past Valentin Vashreau (Monaco) after 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5).