25/01/2026

theSun on Sunday JAN 25, 2026

SPORTS 12 A MISFIRING and cramping Jannik Sinner admitted yesterday he “got lucky” after dropping a rare set before taming American underdog Eliot Spizzirri in furnace-like heat to make the last 16 at the Australian Open. The two-time defending champion was broken three times in the first set and six times in total as he laboured to a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory on Rod Laver Arena over a lung bursting 3hr 45min. His reward is a clash next with fellow Italian Luciano Darderi, the 22nd seed. With temperatures climbing to a forecast 40C, it was not the demolition job many

Medvedev clash for Tien, Sabalenka meets Mboko WHEN Learner Tien began knocking on the door of elite tennis in 2025, he crossed paths repeatedly with Daniil Medvedev and what began as an upset in the second round last year turned into an unex pected yet compelling trilogy. The American arrived in Melbourne as the 25th seed, but last year he was outside the top 100 when he upset Medvedev in an epic five-setter that lasted nearly five hours. Their paths crossed again in Beijing where Medvedev was forced to retire in the decider but the must hate to play me as well. All our matches … it’s long, bru tal rallies,” Medvedev said. “There’s going to be a lot of shot-making, a lot of good defence from both of us, some passing shots. I’m going to try to enjoy the game of tennis. Of course, try to do my best to maybe surprise him some where.” Tien said all three matches against the former world number one have been tough as neither player makes it easy on their opponents. “We both don’t give up too many free points. I think natu rally that makes the rallies very long, games very long,” Tien said. Meanwhile, Canadian Victoria Mboko will tick off two major career firsts when she faces world No. 1 Sabalenka in her maiden Grand Slam fourth round on Rod Laver Arena and the 19-year-old could not be more thrilled about it. The Canadian teenager faces the daunting task of top pling top seed Sabalenka to secure a quarterfinal berth, but Mboko is embracing what she called a “super cool” encounter. “I’ve never played a current number one in the world. That’s going to be a very different experience,” she said. “I’ve never played on a Grand Slam centre court either. A lot of firsts. I’m just really excited. It’s something not many people get to experi ence.” Sabalenka, a self-described late bloomer who did not peak until her mid-20s, has been impressed by how quickly today’s young players are developing compared to her own journey. “She’s a great player. She’s a fighter, she’s playing really good, aggressive tennis,” the Belarusian said. – Reuters R u s s i a n finally beat him in Shanghai in a n o t h e r match that went the dis tance. “The thing is that I kind of don’t like to play him, but he

I got lucky: Sinner

“It was hot today, I started to cramp a little bit in the third set,“ he said. “And yeah, got lucky today. At the point when they closed the roof, it takes a little bit of time. I tried to loosen up a little bit. It helped. I changed a bit also the way of how I played certain points. That helped me today, for sure.” Sinner has a history of cramping in hot conditions. He said he had no real explanation, but it could have something to do with not sleeping well. Sinner is striving to win three Melbourne titles in a row and join Djokovic as the only men to do so in the Open era (since 1968). – AFP

predicted against a player ranked 85 with Sinner struggling to acclimatise in the brutal conditions. Draping himself in ice towels during the changeovers, he suffered a fright in the third set with severe cramp that needed treatment. Hobbling, he was only saved when play was halted due to the extreme heat and the stadium roof closed. It was the first time Sinner had dropped a set in 12 matches, dating back to Vienna last year against Alexander Zverev.

Novak Djokovic returns the ball to Botic van de Zandschulp (not pictured) during the men’s singles match at the 2026 Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday. – AFPPIC

Joker powers on Djokovic wins record 400th Slam match in AO

you enter the court and the ball rolls, you always have a chance.” The 75th-ranked van de Zandschulp upset Djokovic in three sets at Indian Wells last year, but never looked like pulling off another shock. The fourth seed wound back the clock with some phenomenal tennis in set one, securing the critical break in the fourth game after a mammoth 26-point rally. He broke the Dutchman again on his opening serve on the second set and moved to 4-2, but it was a strug gle and he became noticeably more irritable. At one point, he smacked a ball towards an advertising hoarding out of frustration and nearly hit a ball kid, quickly apologising. Djokovic got work on his foot during a medical time in set three, seemingly for a blister, as they

RECORD-SHATTERING Novak Djokovic became the first player to win 400 Grand Slam matches Saturday on his way into the last 16 at the Australian Open. The 38-year-old Serbian great swept past Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) under a closed roof on centre court to extend his own all-time record of match wins at the majors. Roger Federer (369) and Serena Williams (365) are next best. Victory was also his 102nd at Melbourne Park, where he has won 10 titles, to equal Federer with most Australian Open singles wins. Djokovic’s reward is a fourth round clash with either Czech rising star Jakub Mensik or American tour nament debutant Ethan Quinn whose match was delayed due to extreme heat. The 24-time Slam winner is in good form so far as he bids to shat ter the recent dominance of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. “I’m still trying to give

these young guys a push for their money,” said Djokovic. “I’m still around. I’m hanging in there. “Obviously (Carloz) Alcaraz and (Jannik) Sinner are the two best players in the world. They’re playing on a differ ent level from all of us right now. “But, you know, when

exchanged breaks and the set went to a tie break where he proved the most resilient. Novak Djokovic

has been tied with Margaret Court on 24 major titles since winning the US Open in 2023.

– AFP

Top players wrestle with Melbourne heat

TOP PLAYERS spoke of “zapping” temperatures and used bags of ice to try and cool down in brutal heat touching 40°C at the Australian Open yesterday. Competitors, spectators and offi cials roasted on day seven at Melbourne Park, where play was suspended on outside courts in the afternoon because of the scorching weather. Courts that have roofs closed them to fend off the baking sun. Matches started earlier than usual in anticipation of the unforgiv ing weather, but it was already test ing conditions in the morning. The American sixth seed Jessica Pegula was among those first out at

Stearns in straight sets. “The conditions were really tough out there today, so just happy to be through.” Anisimova said it was stressful trying to squeeze in everything pos sible to cool down in the changeo vers. “It’s just important to keep fuel ling and also staying calm, to not spend my energy on emotions and stuff like that,” she said. The bad news, temperatures are set to ramp up once more, peaking at 43°C on Tuesday. – AFP

into their 30s by late morning, although reigning champion Madison Keys said she was quite used to it. Keys, who like Pegula and many of the other United States players trains in Florida, said: “Training there definitely prepares you for a lot for the hot weather.” Another American title con tender, Amanda Anisimova, con ducted her post-match on-court interview wrapped in an ice towel. “Super-hot today,” said the fourth seed, who beat compatriot Peyton

Margaret Court Arena. She blasted to a 6-3, 6-2 victory over unseeded Russian Oksana Selekhmeteva in 66 minutes and said she was glad to get out of there as soon as possible. “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. She was glad to avoid a three-set match as the temperatures soared. “I definitely think it could kind of zap you pretty quick with how hot it could get,” she said. Temperatures were already well