World No. 2 Jannik Sinner entered his third match at the Australian Open as a clear favorite after two routine victories, but American qualifier Eliot Spizzirri ensured that this encounter would be anything but straightforward.
Spizzirri delivered a spirited and fearless performance, pushing Sinner physically and mentally across four demanding sets.
An unusual pattern of breaks
The opening stages of the match produced an unusual trend: the player who secured the first break of serve in a set would go on to lose that set. Sinner struck first in the opening set, only for Spizzirri to break back immediately. When Sinner broke again later in the set, the American responded once more — this time adding an extra break to clinch the set and take a surprising early lead.
That pattern continued throughout the match. In each of the next three sets, Spizzirri was the first to apply pressure with a break of serve, but Sinner gradually consolidated his game, adjusted his rhythm and managed to turn each set in his favor.
A test rather than a routine win
Despite the final scoreline, this was far from a comfortable victory for Sinner. The American refused to be overawed by the occasion or by Sinner’s ranking, maintaining aggression and belief throughout the contest.
Sinner, for his part, showed patience and resilience, navigating momentum swings and finding solutions when necessary. The match suggested a player willing to absorb resistance rather than force the issue — possibly managing energy ahead of tougher challenges.
Looking ahead
Spizzirri’s performance underlined his competitive mindset, while Sinner advanced with valuable match toughness gained rather than an easy passage.
Sinner’s next challenge comes against fellow Italian Luciano Darderi, one of the standout surprises of this year’s Australian Open, in a matchup that promises a different kind of test as the tournament deepens.
As the intensity of the tournament continues to rise, attention now turns to Day 7, where physical and mental demands are expected to increase further.
By Hameltion – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=152409827
By Hameltion – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=135721693