Distressed Jannik Sinner holds off Holger Rune to reach Australian Open QF | ATP tour

Australian Open

From Distress to Success, Sinner Retains Rune to Reach QF AO

The world No. 1 wins a third consecutive victory against the Dane

January 20, 2025

Top seed Jannik Sinner made a remarkable mid-match recovery on Monday to advance to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open after beating Holger Rune 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6 -2.

The world No. 1, who was unable to train ahead of today’s match, will next face the winner, Australian No. 1 Alex de Minaur, and 20-year-old American Alex Michelsen.

“This morning was very strange, because I didn’t even warm up today,” Sinner said when asked about his physical struggles. “I was trying to go on the field as fit as possible. I already knew before the match that I was going to struggle today. I have to say that game-wise, I played well today. I served very well. Quality shots which then gave me the confidence to continue fighting.

“It was definitely very, very difficult. I also knew in my mind that he had some really long matches before this one, so I tried to stay there mentally. I just tried to stay connected with my service game and then in the return games I just tried to see what happened, but today the support meant so much to me. I really needed (the crowd) today.

Struggling in Melbourne’s 32-degree heat, Sinner called a medical timeout – during which the tournament doctor took his pulse – after two grueling service games midway through the third set.

During the previous change of sides, after a grueling 10-minute match in which he saved three break points, Sinner sat on his bench, holding an ice towel in front of his face as his right hand shook uncontrollably.

The Italian still looked physically exhausted after returning from off-court treatment, but then began to move better as the set progressed. Aided by Rune’s 16 unforced errors, Sinner won the third set then broke early in the fourth to reach the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park for the third time.

Sinner’s recovery was such that her thunderous first serve in her first service game of the fourth set broke a metal ring securing the bottom of the net to the court to create tension. This led to another 21-minute delay, during which both players left the field to rest from the heat.

Sinner won 83 percent of first serve points to Rune’s 66 percent. He was also neater in the backcourt, hitting 35 winners and 35 unforced errors compared to Rune’s mark of 31-54.

“Of course, during court time with me and the doctor, we talked a little bit. It helped me today and it also shows that this tournament is very well organized,” Sinner said.

Sinner improved to 3-2 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Rune.