Jannik Sinner battled severe cramping and extreme heat to defeat Eliot Spizzirri in a dramatic third-round match at the Australian Open on January 24, 2026. The match was temporarily suspended due to the tournament's heat policy, allowing the Italian to recover and secure a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory. Meanwhile, smoke from a distant bushfire briefly disrupted play on other courts in Melbourne.
The Australian Open in Melbourne faced severe challenges from a heatwave on January 24, 2026, with temperatures reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit (about 38°C) and forecasts up to 40°C. Organizers invoked the extreme heat policy, which measures factors like air temperature, humidity, sun strength, and wind speed. When the heat stress scale hit 5.0, play on Rod Laver Arena was paused for 10 minutes during Sinner's match against Spizzirri to close the roof and activate air conditioning.
Sinner, the world No. 2 and two-time defending champion, struggled early, losing the first set 4-6 after uncharacteristic errors. He leveled at 6-3 in the second but cramped badly in the third, trailing 3-1 after Spizzirri broke his serve. The suspension proved crucial; upon resumption, Sinner broke back immediately and won the set 6-4. Cramps returned in the fourth, where he fell behind 3-1 before rallying to break for 5-4 and close out the match 6-4.
"I struggled physically a bit today," Sinner said. "I got lucky with the heat rule and the roof closing. I took my time and as the time passed I felt better and better." Spizzirri, ranked 85, noted the timing with a smile: "It was kind of funny timing as I went up 3-1... But that's the rules of the game, and you got to live with it."
Elsewhere, smoke from a bushfire 200 kilometers away at Carlisle River drifted over Melbourne, prompting the roof closure at Margaret Court Arena during Casper Ruud's match against Marin Cilic and a brief suspension. Victoria's emergency services confirmed no immediate threat but warned of poor air quality. Organizers had shifted start times to 10:30 a.m. and prioritized roofed courts, but outside matches were suspended after 2:30 p.m.
Analysts like Tim Henman called it a "get-out-of-jail-free card" for Sinner, who has a history of cramping in heat, including against Holger Rune last year and retiring in Beijing. Sinner next faces compatriot Luciano Darderi, marking the first time three Italians reach the last 16 here.
