Jannik Sinner clashed with 13th seed Holger Rune in a much-anticipated Australian Open fourth-round match on Monday. The Italian emerged victorious in four sets: 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. The match was marked by several interruptions, including medical timeouts and an unusual net malfunction, sparking discussions about their potential influence on the game’s flow.
Reflecting on the interruptions, Sinner noted that although the break lasted longer than he anticipated, it adhered to the rules and was fair given the circumstances.
“It’s perfectly fine that you check, it was a very warm day today even though it was not sun all the time, it was very humid and so I was also feeling it. So, definitely, it’s fair that he got checked, I think it took longer than I expected. It was around 10 minutes maybe even more so that was a bit brutal in the middle of the set,” Rune said.
Although the break seemed to benefit the Italian, Rune refused to use it as an excuse for his loss. He acknowledged that while he had built strong momentum at the time, he accepted the situation and moved on.
Additionally, the Danish player himself took a three-minute medical timeout in the third set for treatment on his right knee when Sinner was leading 5-3.
“But yeah again you know it is what it is and I could move on but yeah I had good momentum at this moment. But yeah it was not the worst timing from his side,” Rune remarked.
During the match, Sinner paused for an 11-minute medical timeout in the third set while leading 3-2, addressing dizziness and physical discomfort. Before the break, the Italian was visibly limping between points.
The game also experienced a 21-minute delay due to a broken net, which provided Sinner with additional time to recover.
Jannik Sinner reaches his 15th consecutive ATP tour QF
With this win, Jannik Sinner secures his 15th consecutive ATP Tour quarterfinal berth and his sixth appearance in a Grand Slam quarterfinal. He is set to face the winner of the match between Alex de Minaur and Alex Michelsen in the next round.
The defending champion has delivered stellar performances in Melbourne so far and remains focused on adding to his Grand Slam tally, solidifying his position among the elite players in men’s tennis.
Through his consistent displays, the World No. 1 continues to showcase his composure in high-pressure situations. All eyes will be on him as he aims for another deep run in the tournament. His quarterfinal match is scheduled for Wednesday, January 22.
