'I got lucky' - Cramping Sinner drops set on way to Melbourne last 16

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 predicted against a player ranked 85 with Sinner struggling to acclimatise in the brutal conditions. Draping himself in ice towels during the changeovers...