Jannik Sinner kept his Australian Open title defence alive after battling severe heat and cramp to beat American Eliot Spizzirri in the third round in Melbourne.
The Italian dropped his first set since October and struggled physically in the extreme heat at Rod Laver Arena, with cramp affecting both his legs and arms. Under the blazing sun, Sinner appeared close to being forced to retire.
The match turned in his favour when organisers activated the extreme heat policy and closed the stadium roof. Playing indoors allowed Sinner to recover and fight back to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
After the match, Sinner admitted he was lucky the final two sets were played under the roof and said he tried to stay calm despite his physical problems. Outdoor matches were stopped for most of the afternoon, while games on the main courts continued once the roofs were closed.
With temperatures expected to reach 40°C, play began earlier than usual to avoid the worst of the heat. Even so, some long matches took place, including a four-hour contest in which Lorenzo Musetti beat Tomas Machac in five sets.
American Ben Shelton also progressed, beating Valentin Vacherot in straight sets in a match briefly delayed by a video review. Shelton said closing the roof was essential and believed he would not have been able to finish the match without it.
The extreme heat kept many fans away from Melbourne Park, with attendance well below recent figures. Organisers advised spectators to wear hats, use sunscreen and drink plenty of water.
Looking ahead, Sinner will face fellow Italian Luciano Darderi in the fourth round. Elsewhere, Novak Djokovic continues his bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title, while Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka are also in action as the tournament moves into its second week.
