Source : ABC NEWS
It was not exactly a case of ‘Mondayitis’, but Jannik Sinner didn’t quite feel right when he woke up on the morning of his Australian Open fourth-round match against Holger Rune.
“I was not feeling really well,” Sinner told reporters after his four-set victory over Rune on Rod Laver Arena.
“I think we saw that today, I was struggling physically. Came here (Melbourne Park) as late as possible.
“I knew that it was going to be a very, very difficult today, playing against a tough opponent, but also playing against myself a little bit.
“I knew this before. I tried to handle the situation on the court as good as I could, which I think today I handled as well as possible.
“[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 in physical distress.
The temperature at Melbourne Park had hit 32 degrees Celsius during the match, meaning the conditions on court were oppressive.
After holding serve for a 2-1 lead in the third set, Sinner’s hands were shaking as he tried to cool himself down during the changeover, later revealing he was feeling a “bit dizzy”.
Sinner needed medical treatment during his match against Rune. (Getty Images: Hannah Peters)
The defending champion eventually 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 “slightly better” once he returned to the court, at least well enough to secure a service break for a 5-3 lead before serving out the set.
“I felt like the face looked a little bit better, the colour was a little bit back,” Sinner said about his time off the court.
“So that helped, for sure. [They were] Tough conditions. Yesterday was hot. Today was hot again.
“Every player struggles a little bit. When you’re not there health-wise where you want to be, it’s also even more difficult.”
Rune feels the heat
Rune — who had won two five-setters to reach the fourth round — was also feeling the pinch due to the hot conditions.
The 13th seed had to call for the trainer to receive treatment on an existing knee complaint.
Both players were given a reprieve early in the fourth set via a bizarre moment when the net needed to be fixed.
They were permitted to leave the court while repairs were made, with Sinner describing the delay as “very helpful”.
Sinner found enough in the tank to advance to the quarterfinals for the second straight year. (Getty Images: Hannah Peters)
The world number one came out of the non-scheduled interval the stronger, securing a double break on his way to completing a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win in three hours and 13 minutes.
Sinner will face either 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 choosing to prioritise his health as he looks to reach the semifinals for the second consecutive year.
“[I’m] Just trying to watch on my side what I have to do, trying to recover and hopefully be ready for the next one,” Sinner said.
