MELBOURNE: Jannik Sinner battled back from the brink of a cramp-induced breakdown to keep his Australian Open title defence alive after

brutal heat triggered a five-hour suspension of matches on outdoor courts at Melbourne Park on Saturday but Novak Djokovic escaped the furnace to forge ahead.

Players and spectators roasted on day seven at Melbourne Park, where temperatures soared to 38C. The tournament’s Heat Stress Scale hit the highest level of five in the early afternoon, prompting the suspension on courts without roofs and play did not resume until after 7:00 pm.

Iga Swiatek continued to misfire in her hunt for a maiden Melbourne Park crown and a career Grand Slam, the second seed singed in her 6-1, 1-6 6-1 win over Russian Anna Kalinskaya to reach the fourth round.

Local favourite Maddison Inglis’ path was much easier, and she goes on to play Swiatek in the last 16 after her opponent and twice Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka pulled out with an abdominal injury.

The Japanese star, who made a grand entrance this week in a jellyfish-inspired outfit, wrote on Instagram that “it breaks my heart”.

On a dramatic day on and off court, reigning champion Madison Keys also moved into the last 16.

Second seed Sinner provided the early drama, as the Italian dropped his first set since October against inspired American Eliot Spizzirri and was a limping wreck under a blazing sun at Rod Laver Arena.

The match swung in his favour when the tournament invoked its extreme heat policy, allowing the stadium’s roof to shut and Sinner to rally for a dramatic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win.

The Italian said he was “lucky” to finish the last two sets under the roof, after cramp affected first his legs and then his arms.

“Tennis is a mental game. I just tried to play as calm as possible,” he said. “I struggled physically a bit today as you saw. I got lucky with the heat rule, they closed the roof.”

His reward is a clash next with fellow Italian Luciano Darderi, the 22nd seed who defeated Russia’s Karen Khachanov 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

On a historic day for Italy, fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti saw off Tomas Machac 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2. It was the first time that three Italian men had reached the last 16 of the Australian Open.

Musetti goes up against American ninth seed Taylor Fritz after he ended the run of Stan Wawrinka on the popular Swiss veteran’s farewell to the tournament in four sets.

The 40-year-old former champion is playing his last season. “It’s been an amazing journey,” he said, cracking open a can on court afterwards.

Fellow seasoned campaigner Marin Cilic also exited after a 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 loss to 12th seed Casper Ruud.

Djokovic opened the evening session on Rod Laver Arena in much better conditions, the Serb defeating dangerous Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) to continue his hunt for a record 25th Grand Slam title.

With his 102nd match win at Melbourne, he equalled six-times champion Roger Federer’s record at the major and also became the first player to secure 400 match victories at Grand Slams.

“It’s been a great start to the tournament,” said Djokovic, who next takes on young gun Jakub Mensik. “Things can change and I’m not getting ahead of myself.”

KEYS IMPRESSES

With the temperature forecast to hit a scorching 40 degrees Celsius (104F), the action started an hour earlier than usual to take advantage of cooler morning conditions.

Keys had no intention of hanging about as she dismissed former world number one Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-3 in a statement victory to set up a last-16 showdown with podcast co-host Jessica Pegula.

After admitting to being nervous and timid in embarking on her title defence, this was more like the Keys that stunned Aryna Sabalenka in the final a year ago.

The 30-year-old Keys said that being based in Florida meant she was used to hot temperatures. “I am feeling really good and I was excited for the heat today, and ready for it,” she said.

The ninth seed faces good friend and compatriot Pegula for a place in the quarter-finals. The sixth-seeded Pegula powered past unseeded Russian Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-3, 6-2.

“Nice to be first out on court and not a super long match and didn’t need to kill myself in the heat today,” she said.

Fourth seed Amanda Anisimova soon followed the duo into the fourth round with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over fellow American Peyton Stearns in the second match at Margaret Court Arena.

“I hated training in the summer,” Anisimova said. “But you know what? At least it paid off a little bit. It’s great to be playing out here even when it’s so hot, it’s nice to have a challenge.”

While the Americans soared, Elise Mertens, Elena Rybakina and Wang Xinyu all flew under the radar to progress.

STARS AND STRIPES

On a day dominated by Americans, eighth seed Ben Shelton delivered another victory for the Stars and Stripes, beating Valentin Vacherot 6-4, 6-4 7-6 (7/5).

Shelton’s win was held up at 4-4 in the tiebreak as Vacherot thought the American hit the ball after a double-bounce. Shelton was handed the point after a video review that took so long even Vacherot was ready to concede it to get the match going again.

A semi-finalist last year, Shelton was almost as happy as Sinner for the roof to be closed when he played at Margaret Court Arena.

“I don’t think I could have finished this match without the roof, I don’t think anyone could,” he said. “You all stay cool out there.”

Organisers warned fans to bring hats, slap on sunscreen and drink plenty of water - but many avoided the major altogether. The day session attendance of 51,048 was some 10,000 short of Friday and even less than last year’s corresponding session.

Published in Dawn, January 25th, 2026