Jannik Sinner was limping and trying to stretch out cramps in his arms and legs and had just come off a break in the third set when extreme heat rules came into effect at the Australian Open.
Play was suspended for several minutes while the Rod Laver Arena roof was closed on Saturday afternoon, and the two-time defending Australian Open champion returned a man reborn.
He won five of the next six matches, taking the third set against No. 85 seed Eliot Spizzirri on his way to a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory in the third round that highlighted a dramatic contrast of intense light and shadow.
“I struggled physically today. I was lucky with the heat rule,” said Sinner, who agreed that he liked the cooler indoor conditions much better than the energy-sapping heat of the first two sets. “As time went on, I felt better and better.”
Reflecting on his state when he was down 3-1 in the third set after dropping as many service games in this match as he did in winning the 2025 tournament, the No. 2 seed Sinner said he was just trying to survive until an extended break.
“It started with the legs. I got to the arms. I got a little cramp everywhere,” he said. “This is the sport. This is an area I know I need to improve.
“Tennis is a very mental game. I tried to stay as calm as possible. I am here to fight, to play every point in the best possible way.”
He will next play compatriot Luciano Darderi, who defeated number 15 Karen Khachanov 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Three Italian men advanced to the round of 16, with No. 5 Lorenzo Musetti beating Tomas Machac 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 in a match at John Cain Arena that also had to be stopped briefly — in the fifth set — to close the roof.
On Saturday afternoon, play on outdoor courts was suspended for at least three hours due to extreme heat rules at the Australian Open.
The temperature was around 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) when the extreme heat policy was applied – on the tournament heat scale there was a maximum of 5. The forecast was for a maximum temperature of 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).
The overnight session at Rod Laver Arena featured 10-time champion Novak Djokovic as he continued his quest for a record 25th Grand Slam singles title. Djokovic will play against Botic van de Zandschulp in the first evening match.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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