The screw holding the net in place at the Australian Open’s main stadium got jarred loose during defending champion Jannik Sinner’s fourth-round victory against Holger Rune, delaying play for about 20 minutes early in the fourth set.

Jannik Sinner, the world No 1 and defending champion, looked to be heading out of the Australian Open until he was rescued by a controversial medical time-out.

Jannik Sinner is through to the Australian Open quarterfinals after a drama-filled fourth-round win over Holger Rune. World No. 1 Sinner won in four sets, 6-3. 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, but this did not tell the story of a contest defined by illness.

Holger Rune didn't have anything against Jannik Sinner taking a medical timeout but noted that a lengthy break ruined his rhythm. After the world No. 1 started to physically struggle late in the second set of their Australian Open round-of-16 match - the Italian's hands were shaking and his movement was impacted - the Dane won that set and also had the upper hand early in the third set.

Jannik Sinner 's exciting fourth-round clash with Holger Rune at the Australian Open was suspended when the world No. 1 accidentally broke the net. There had been plenty of delays in Monday's match with both men taking medical time outs.

The screw holding the net in place at the Australian Open’s main stadium has been jarred loose during defending champion Jannik Sinner’s fourth-round match against Holger Rune

The World No. 1, despite feeling unwell in sweltering conditions, kept up his title defense with a four-set triumph.

Jannik Sinner has achieved his goal by reaching the quarterfinals at the 2025 Australian Open. The world number 1 defeated a very dangerous opponent like Holger Rune in four sets, overcoming a malaise that hit him between the second and third sets and also forced him to leave the court for assistance.

Jannik Sinner has revealed that he felt unwell ahead of his win over Holger Rune at the Australian Open, and is relieved to be through to the quarter-finals.