Jannik Sinner stronger than heat and cramps: Spizzirri knocked out
The great heat in Melbourne put Jannik Sinner to a very tough test as he had a very ugly time against Eliot Spizzirri, number 85 in the ATP rankings, in his Australian Open third-round match. The world and seeding number two defeated the American in four sets after three hours and three quarters of play at the end of a match that seemed almost lost: 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-4 was the final score in favor of the Azzurro, who qualifies for the round of 16 of the Australian major where he will take on Luciano Darderi in an all-Italian derby.
Sinner got off to a strong start by immediately snatching service from Spizzirri (2-0) but the American’s reaction was immediate (2-2). In the sixth game Sinner again takes the serve away from the American with a winning forehand (4-2) but plays a bad service game and gets caught again (4-4). In the ninth game the Azure lost serve for the third time in the set thanks in part to three consecutive wins by Spizzirri, who went on to serve for the set and closed on a 6-4 final.
The second set began badly.
The second set started badly for the South Tyrolean who gave up serve again (0-1). Jannik, debilitated by the great heat, however, did not give up and with three consecutive points signed the immediate counter-break before taking the lead (2-1). The Blue, who makes fewer mistakes and seems more centered, places another break with a winning forehand and confirms it on serve (4-1). Aided by his serve, Sinner nullified two dangerous counter-break points in the ninth game before putting the match back on even terms (6-3).
At the beginning of the third set, Sinner gets a massage from the physio on his right calf. The cramping Blue goes down 3-1 but the heat index rises to 4.9 and the match is suspended to close the roof: it is the turning point for Sinner. Upon returning to the court, Jannik signs a five-game run of consecutive games, demonstrating off-the-charts mental strength and pulling ahead by a set (6-4).
Sinner also goes down in the fourth set (1-3) but from there the world number two rises to the top by stringing together a partial run of four consecutive games. Called upon to serve for the match the Blue does not tremble and closes on the second match point earning with enormous effort the round of 16 of the Australian Slam.
