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Jannik Sinner fights to overcome Holger Rune to reach the quarterfinals of the Australian Open

Jannik Sinner fights to overcome Holger Rune to reach the quarterfinals of the Australian Open

It wasn’t exactly a case of ‘Mondayitis’, but Jannik Sinner wasn’t feeling quite right when he woke up the morning of his Australian Open fourth-round match against Holger Rune.

“I wasn’t feeling very good,” Sinner told reporters after his four-set victory over Rune on Rod Laver Arena.

“I think today we saw that he was struggling physically. I got here (Melbourne Park) as late as possible.

“I knew today was going to be very, very difficult, playing against a tough opponent, but also playing against myself a little bit.

“I knew it before. I tried to handle the situation on the court the best I could, and I think today I handled it the best I could.

“(I’m) happy to be in the next round.”

Towards the end of the second set, which Rune won to level the match, Sinner was noticeably physically distressed.

The temperature at Melbourne Park had reached 32 degrees Celsius during the match, meaning conditions on the pitch were oppressive.

After holding serve for a 2-1 lead in the third set, Sinner’s hands shook as he tried to calm himself during the changeover, later revealing that he felt “a little dizzy.”

Jannik Sinner receives treatment at Australian Open

Sinner needed medical treatment during his match against Rune. (Getty Images: Hannah Peters)

The defending champion finally left the court for a medical timeout after the fifth game in the third and was consulted by a tournament doctor, who gave the Italian some medication.

Sinner says he felt “a little better” once he returned to the court, at least good enough to secure a break of serve for a 5-3 lead before finishing the set.

“I felt like the face looked a little better, the color was back a little bit,” Sinner said of his time off the court.

“So that helped, for sure. (They were) tough conditions. It was hot yesterday. It was hot again today.”

“Every player has a little difficulty. When you’re not at the level of health you want, it’s even more difficult as well.”

Rune feels the heat

Rune, who had won two five-set matches to reach the fourth round, was also feeling the pressure due to the heat.

The 13th seed had to call the trainer for treatment for knee discomfort.

Both players got a reprieve at the start of the fourth set through a strange moment in which the net needed to be fixed.

They were allowed to leave the court while repairs were made, and Sinner described the delay as “very helpful.”

Jannik Sinner raises his fist at the Australian Open.

Sinner found enough in the tank to advance to the quarterfinals for the second year in a row. (Getty Images: Hannah Peters)

The world number one emerged stronger from the unscheduled interval, earning a double break to complete a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory in three hours and 13 minutes.

Sinner will face Australian eighth seed Alex de Minaur or rising American star Alex Michelsen in the quarterfinals.

But he won’t focus on his opponent in the last eight, instead opting to prioritize his health as he looks to reach the semifinals for the second year in a row.

“(I’m) just trying to see what I have to do, trying to recover and hopefully be ready for the next one,” Sinner said.