Sinner battles through cramp, one set from surviving Spizzirri at Australian Open

World No. 2 was down a break in third set before clawing back

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Jannik Sinner is pursuing his third consecutive Australian Open title. By ATP Staff

Jannik Sinner has won back-to-back Australian Open titles, but is facing a serious test Saturday in Melbourne.

The No. 2 player in the PIF ATP Rankings leads American Eliot Spizzirri 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 following a dramatic third set. Spizzirri took a 3-1 lead in the third, with Sinner struggling with cramp and barely being able to push off on his serve or move. But at about 2:35 p.m. local time, play was suspended due to the tournament's heat rule in order to close the Rod Laver Arena roof.

Play resumed less than 10 minutes later, but that break proved critical. Sinner was able to gather himself and find a way through the set to put the pressure back on Spizzirri.

The former college tennis star at the University of Texas is competing in the third round of a major for the first time and had never previously played in the Australian Open main draw. This is his first match against a Top-10 opponent.

The first three sets took two hours and 54 minutes, with Sinner making 46 unforced errors according to Infosys Stats. But the big difference has come on break points.

Spizzirri has only converted five of his 14 break chances, while Sinner has won six of his nine break points. Spizzirri was just one of six in the third set, which helped Sinner battle through cramp to regain the advantage.

After the third set, players received a 10-minute break because of the tournament's heat rule.

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