When Jannik Sinner stepped onto the hot courts of Melbourne for his third-round clash at the Australian Open 2026, few could have predicted the rollercoaster match that awaited the world number two. Facing American underdog Eliot Spizzirri, ranked no. 85 and a relative newcomer to the Grand Slam spotlight, Sinner found himself tested like never before in his past three Australian Opens.
The tipping point: moments that nearly broke Sinner’s resolve sparks intrigue as Sinner, celebrated for his composure and resolve, suddenly stared at crisis deep in the match. After dropping the first set 4-6—a surprise to many—he appeared at risk of being forced into a nerve-racking fifth set. Early in set four, Spizzirri broke Sinner’s serve and zoomed to a 3-1 lead, ratcheting up the pressure. The American’s aggressive approach, attacking the net at every opportunity and keeping unforced errors to a stunningly low 29 (compared to Sinner’s 51), gave him a genuine chance to dethrone the defending champion.
Spizzirri’s audacious breakthrough
What set this match apart was not just Sinner’s struggles, but Spizzirri’s fearless performance on tennis’s biggest stage. Imagine the energy of a college underdog facing a campus Goliath—only this time, it’s the Australian Open center court. As a former University of Texas college star, Spizzirri gave his best ever showing at any Slam, making his third-round debut in Melbourne and squaring off against a top-10 player for the very first time.
- He immediately recovered after losing the opening game, breaking Sinner back and clinching the first set with a second break late on.
- Throughout the match, he attacked whenever possible, refusing to sit back—even against a world-class opponent.
- His error count stayed impressively low, exhibiting remarkable hand skills and control under stress.
For Spizzirri, this hard-fought battle may signal the start of a rising journey on the ATP Tour.
Heat, cramp, and the race against the elements
No match at the Australian Open is complete without drama delivered by the elements. In the third set, Sinner battled painful cramps and sweltering heat, at times struggling with his movement and serve. Melbourne’s brutal summer led to a rare pause in play as umpires closed the stadium roof, affording Sinner and Spizzirri a precious 10-minute break.
It was a much-needed lifeline for Sinner. The pause gave him time to recover, rehydrate, and return with fresh tactical adjustments. From that point on, he played with renewed aggression—shortening rallies, risking more with his groundstrokes, and finding 56 winners to counterbalance his high error rate. Even when staring down 10 break points, the Italian’s resilience shone through as he saved every single one, demonstrating why he’s a favorite for the trophy.
A chink in the armor: Sinner’s battle with extreme heat
Despite Sinner’s recent streak of hard-court dominance, extreme heat remains his Achilles’ heel. Since September 2024, his only loss on this surface (excluding matches against Carlos Alcaraz) came when he was forced to retire due to severe heat and humidity in Shanghai, against Tallon Griekspoor. At last year’s Australia Open, he barely squeaked past a dangerous situation versus Holger Rune, also under intense physical duress.
Sinner’s unyielding spirit allows him to survive these trials, but questions remain: Can he go all the way in conditions that challenge his endurance more than his opponents’ skills?
Looking ahead: new Italian showdown in store
As the dust settles, Sinner’s reward is a showdown with fellow Italian and 22nd seed Luciano Darderi. Darderi, born in 2002, has just scored a major upset over 2023 semifinalist Karen Khachanov, marking his arrival on the big stage with a run to the fourth round—a career first at Melbourne Park.
Key details:
- Darderi had never passed the second round of any Grand Slam before the 2025 US Open.
- He impressed at Flushing Meadows and now brings that momentum to Australia, setting up an all-Italian clash filled with promise and spectacle.