Defending champion Jannik Sinner advanced to the Round of 16 at the Australian Open after a challenging third-round match against Eliot Spizzirri at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday. The Italian won 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in three hours and 45 minutes, his longest time spent on court at the tournament so far.
Sinner looked weary at times, with the Australian heat adding to the pressure on court. The heat became so intense that the Italian took a medical timeout early in the third set, coincidentally as the extreme heat measures were enforced, delaying the game by 20 minutes. Due to the extreme heat policy newly introduced, the management decided to close the roof and turn on the AC.
Firing shots at the organizers for issuing an extreme heat policy at the last minute just as the defending champ started to cramp up, Coco Gauff’s former coach Brad Gilbert gave his brutal take on the events that transpired.
Posting on X, Gilbert recalled how things were different in his time, saying:
“They used to not stop a match @AustralianOpen when the heat rule came into effect or close the roof, but wouldn’t put any new matches on,” Gilbert wrote.
Gilbert felt that the closing of the roof came ‘out of nowhere’ at the right time to save him from a major shock exit, adding:
“Wow Sin city in big trouble from heat and opponent Spizzirri now out of nowhere they are closing the roof. It’s so crucial when struggling, learning how to manage yourself when to make a push and when to let points and return games go, till you get that 2nd or 3rd wind back,” Gilbert wrote in another post.
Spizzirri and Sinner were neck and neck in the key stats, but the Italian ultimately prevailed in the end by digging his heels in the match and showcasing why he has won back-to-back titles in Melbourne.
Tennis Fans Lash Out at the Roof Closure Policy During Jannik Sinner’s Australian Open Match
It wasn’t just the commentators and analysts who voiced their ire at the Australian Open management for hastily closing the roof of the Rod Laver arena to give Sinner ample time for recovery. Fans also lashed out, many terming it the management’s win, not the Italian’s.
“Let’s be real – this wasn’t Jannik Sinner’s victory. It was handed to him when the Australian Open shut the roof. Spizzirri showed nothing but class out there, yet the tournament’s tactical move tilted the match,” one fan commented.
“Let’s be real: Jannik Sinner did not win this match. The Australian Open won it for him by closing the roof. A brilliant tactical victory by the Australian Open. Well done,” another fan commented.
“Unbelievable. Australian Open officials just decided to close the roof to give Jannie Sinner time to recover from cramping. Gamblers must be furious. His opponent, too. I’ve never seen such a BLATANT effort by a tournament to keep a superstar in it. This is actually criminal,” yet another fan commented.
The defending champion will next face face fellow Italian Luciano Darderi in the Round of 16 at Melbourne Park on Monday.
Also read:
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in tennis, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
