Sinner Battles Cramps, Heat to Defend Australian Open; Djokovic Secures 400th Win
Extreme weather conditions marked a dramatic day at the Australian Open, with several notable events influencing the matches.
Sinner Battles Cramps and Heat to Secure Victory
Jannik Sinner experienced intense physical challenges during his match against Eliot Spizzirri on Saturday. After facing cramps, he was on the verge of exiting the tournament when the extreme heat policy intervened. Play was halted for eight minutes, allowing the roof of Rod Laver Arena to close, offering Sinner a much-needed respite.
After the delay, Sinner returned revitalized, rallying to win five of the next six games. He secured a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory, crediting the cooler conditions for his resurgence. “I struggled physically today. I got lucky with the heat rule,” Sinner stated. He recognized that the indoor climate was much more favorable compared to the earlier oppressive heat.
Djokovic Achieves Historic 400th Grand Slam Win
Novak Djokovic made history by becoming the first player to achieve 400 match wins at Grand Slam tournaments. He accomplished this milestone by defeating Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (4). Djokovic’s record now stands at an impressive 102-10 at the Australian Open, equaling Roger Federer’s mark for the most match wins at this major event.
Osaka Withdraws Amid Injury Concerns
Naomi Osaka, a two-time champion at the Australian Open, withdrew from the tournament due to an abdominal injury. This withdrawal came before her anticipated third-round match against Maddison Inglis. In her absence, Inglis advanced to face Iga Świątek, who secured her place in the fourth round by defeating Anna Kalinskaya 6-1, 1-6, 6-1.
Other Tournament Highlights
- Amanda Anisimova, currently ranked No. 4, triumphed over Peyton Stearns 6-1, 6-4, advancing to face Wang Xinyu.
- No. 5 seed, Elena Rybakina, progressed against No. 21 Elise Mertens.
- Stan Wawrinka, at 40 years old, lost to No. 9 Taylor Fritz before bidding farewell to the crowd with a toast.
- Ben Shelton defeated Valentin Vacherot, noting the acoustics were enhanced by the closed roof.
Future Matches and Conditions
Sinner will next face Luciano Darderi, who overcame No. 15 seed Karen Khachanov. The forecast suggests more favorable temperatures of 24°C (75°F) for Sunday, a relief compared to the previous day’s oppressive conditions. Sinner acknowledged his struggle with cramps, emphasizing the need for improvement after his dramatic match.
This tournament continues to showcase intense competition and remarkable stories as players navigate both physical and environmental challenges.
