Jannik Sinner toughs out medical episode against Rune to reach Australian Open last eight
Defending champion and top seed Jannik Sinner overcame a debilitating medical episode as well as Dane Holger Rune to reach the quarter-finals of the Australian Open for the third time with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory.
The world No 1 had looked like continuing his serene progress through the draw when he wrapped up the opening set after 33 minutes on the back of two breaks of serve. But he started to struggle physically early in the second set, and appeared even weaker after stretching in vain for one return.
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“Today was a strange morning, I didn’t even warm up ... I knew in my mind that I would struggle today,” said Sinner, who will next face either local hopeful Alex de Minaur or American young gun Alex Michelsen.
Tumaini Carayol’s full report from Melbourne Park to follow.