Jannik Sinner survives sweltering encounter with Holger Rune at Australian Open

Ailing defending champion Jannik Sinner admitted he was fortunate to survive a fourth-round battle with Holger Rune at the Australian Open.

Sinner looked in trouble after losing the second set and he took a long medical timeout early in the third as he battled to stay on level terms.

But Rune was also feeling the heat and a bizarre delay at the beginning of the fourth set when Sinner broke the net with a serve also played into the Italian's hands.

He eventually completed a 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-2 victory, saying in his on-court interview: "It was for sure very, very tough.

"I knew in my mind that also he had some very long matches so I tried to stay there mentally. I just tried to stay connected with my service games and then in the return games see what happens.

"This morning was a very strange morning. I didn’t even warm up today, trying to go on court as fit as I could. I knew in my mind I would struggle today. Game wise, I played very well. Quality shots that gave me the strength to fight on."

In his press conference, Sinner added of his struggles: "I was not feeling really well. I think we saw that today. I talked with the doctor already, before going on the court. I was a bit dizzy at times. I don’t want to go into details."

The top seed also admitted the broken net was a major stroke of fortune, saying: "At this point, 20 minutes off court, trying to get back physically, putting some cold water on my head, it was very helpful. It was big, big luck to me today."

The performance of a champion.@janniksin battles his way into the quarterfinals, beating Holger Rune 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-2@wwos @espn @eurosport @wowowtennis #AusOpen #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/ZXMo3eb6AA

It was hot and humid at Melbourne Park and Sinner began to look very lethargic