Melbourne, Jan. 24 -- Defending champion Jannik Sinner battled past American qualifier Eliot Spizzirri in a gruelling third-round clash at the Australian Open on Saturday, holding a slender lead after three sets.
The world No. 2 recovered from physical discomfort and a mid-match interruption to edge ahead 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 after nearly three hours on court at Rod Laver Arena, as per the ATP official website.
Spizzirri, playing just his first Australian Open main-draw match and making his maiden third-round appearance at a Grand Slam, stunned the Melbourne crowd by taking the opening set and then racing to a 3-1 lead in the third. During that phase, Sinner appeared hampered by cramp, struggling to move freely and push off on serve.
However, m...