Sinner digs deep against Rune to reach last eight

Australian Open 2025

Dates: 12-26 January Venue: Melbourne Park

Jannik Sinner, the current champion, defeated Holger Rune to advance to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.

Both Sinner and Rune appeared to struggle with the 32C heat on Rod Laver Arena in a match that was interrupted by medical timeouts and a broken net.

As he changed into the third set and the final one, Sinner was clearly shaking as he wrapped ice towels around his neck.

But the world number one prevailed to win 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-2 against the Dane.

“I knew in my mind even before the match I would struggle today”, Sinner, 23, said

“I didn’t even warm up today, and I was trying to get on the court as much as I could,” said one person.

After saving a break point to win 3-2 in the third set, Sinner’s physical issues came to light as a result of two exhausting service games in the third set.

After more than 11 minutes, he was treated off-court and returned, but Rune was the one who let Sinner break for a 5-3 lead.

Before Sinner raced to a love hold to finish the set, the 13th seed required a medical timeout of his own due to an apparent knee injury.

At the start of the fourth period, when the pair returned to the locker room when the net’s anchoring pin slammed in the middle, the pair had a further 21-minute pause.

Sinner jumped out to a 5-2 lead after three hours and 13 minutes, which seemed to be a benefit of the break.

“It was very tough. He had some very long matches, so I tried to stay there mentally, Sinner said.

“I really needed you guys today because of how much you guys have helped me today. It’s 90% yours and 10% I try to make you happy”.