MELBOURNE, Australia — The Australian Open witnessed a series of unusual events as Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune battled it out under sweltering conditions exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius). The match experienced both players taking medical timeouts due to the heat and an unusual 20-minute interruption after Sinner’s powerful serve caused the net at Rod Laver Arena to become dislodged from its spot.
Ultimately, Sinner prevailed over Rune, the defending champion, moving into the quarterfinals after defeating the 13th seed with a score of 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. Despite the challenging conditions, Sinner displayed remarkable stamina and resilience to overcome not only the heat but also interruptions during the match.
Throughout the match, Sinner, the top-ranked player, attempted to combat the heat by using cold towels and drinking water to cool down. He showed marked improvement in his performance following a medical time-out in the third set and a net-related delay in the fourth set, both of which could have been detrimental.
“I anticipated I would struggle today,” Sinner commented post-match, mentioning that conversations with the doctor had provided him with some relief.
Sinner has been on an outstanding winning streak, claiming 18 matches in a row since late 2024. His impressive record last season included a remarkable 73 wins and just six losses, with eight titles to his name. This made him the first male player to achieve such a feat in a calendar year since Andy Murray in 2016.
Among his titles were his inaugural Grand Slam victories at the Australian Open and the U.S. Open, which occurred shortly after he was cleared following two positive tests for an anabolic steroid. Although the case remains unresolved, a hearing is set for April regarding an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Rune, a 21-year-old from Denmark, was aiming to reach the quarterfinals in Melbourne for the first time. Sinner will next compete against either the eighth seed Alex de Minaur from Australia or the unseeded Alex Michelsen from the U.S. Another Italian player, Lorenzo Sonego, made headlines by reaching the quarterfinals as well, marking his first time at this stage in a major tournament by defeating American qualifier Learner Tien 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. Sonego is set to face either No. 21 Ben Shelton from the U.S. or Gael Monfils from France.
The men’s quarterfinal match-ups on Tuesday will feature Novak Djokovic facing Carlos Alcaraz, alongside Alexander Zverev matching up against Tommy Paul.
In the women’s draw, Madison Keys, a 2017 U.S. Open runner-up, triumphed over 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina with a scoreline of 6-3, 1-6, 6-3, and she will now go up against Elina Svitolina, who defeated Veronika Kudermetova 6-4, 6-1. Notably, Svitolina and Monfils are a married couple. Other women’s encounters on Monday included matches featuring Emma Navarro against Daria Kasatkina, followed by Iga Swiatek versus Eva Lys in the evening.
Sinner’s struggles became evident during the second set when he faced Rune at 3-all. After a taxing rally, Sinner appeared to experience discomfort in his upper left leg. Following Rune’s hold, Sinner hesitated before making his way to the sideline, showing signs of fatigue. A double fault from Sinner allowed Rune to take the lead, which he held onto to win the set.
The hot and muggy conditions led to lengthy points that left both competitors exhausted. A notable moment occurred during a critical rally in the third set, which was concluded by Sinner executing a stunning forehand volley after an intricate exchange. Each player struggled to catch their breath following this intense moment.
With the temperature and tension rising, Sinner called for a trainer during a changeover while Rune, following his lead, requested a medical assessment for his own knee. It was clear that the physical nature of the match was taking its toll on both players. “It was definitely very tough,” Sinner said reflecting on the match. “I knew Rune had played some grueling matches prior, so I had to stay focused.”
