Melbourne, Jan 24 (NationPress) Jannik Sinner faced a formidable challenge in his title defense at the Australian Open on Saturday, but the World No. 2 showcased his tenacity by overcoming the American qualifier Eliot Spizzirri with a score of 4–6, 6–3, 6–4, 6–4, reaching the fourth round at Rod Laver Arena.

Sinner’s mental fortitude was truly tested during the match. After splitting the initial two sets, Spizzirri surged ahead 3–1 in the third, as Sinner visibly grappled with cramping, impacting his movement and serve in the sweltering Melbourne heat. With the Heat Stress Scale peaking at Level 5, officials decided to close the roof, leading to a brief stoppage in play.

This interruption proved crucial. Upon resuming play, Sinner appeared rejuvenated. Drawing on his vast experience, the four-time major champion regained his composure, rallied to take the third set, and ultimately secured the win after a grueling three hours and 45 minutes of intense tennis.

Despite the defeat, Spizzirri had a breakthrough performance, reaching the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time and making his main-draw debut at the Australian Open. He displayed remarkable confidence against a Top 10 player, matching Sinner's powerful baseline strokes for extended stretches and showcasing an aggressive playing style.

The match statistics were demanding, with the first three sets alone lasting nearly three hours and Sinner committing 46 unforced errors. The key difference came on break points: Sinner converted eight of 11, while Spizzirri managed six of 16, including only one from six in the pivotal third set, missing a crucial opportunity to regain control.

After the mandatory 10-minute heat break post-third set, Spizzirri again broke first to lead 3–1 in the fourth. However, Sinner's ability to remain composed under pressure proved decisive, as he executed games with controlled aggression to seal his victory and set up a fourth-round clash with fellow Italian Luciano Darderi, marking their first encounter.

Darderi arrived with his own momentum, pulling off a remarkable upset against 15th seed Karen Khachanov with a score of 7–6(5), 3–6, 6–3, 6–4, progressing to the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career.

Currently ranked No. 25, the Argentine-born Italian impressed with his evolving all-court game on the hard courts of Melbourne, defeating the former Australian Open semifinalist in a high-quality match. After edging a tense opening-set tiebreak, Darderi briefly lost momentum when Khachanov took the second set, but his relentless baseline pressure and fearless shot-making turned the match back in his favor.

Breaking serve at crucial moments in both the third and fourth sets, Darderi concluded one of the most significant victories of his career. Traditionally viewed as a clay-court specialist, he has now demonstrated his growing versatility, setting the stage for an all-Italian showdown against the defending champion for a spot in the quarterfinals.