Defending champion Jannik Sinner has moved into the quarterfinals at the Australian Open after beating Holger Rune during a match slowed down by medical timeouts for each player and a delay because the net got knocked loose.

Jannik Sinner moved into the Australian Open quarterfinals Monday by eliminating Holger Rune in a match paused by medical timeouts and the net detaching from the court.

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

A smashed net became an unlikely ally of defending champion Jannik Sinner during a sweltering day's action at the Australian Open. World No 1 Sinner and fourth-round opponent Holger Rune were visibly struggling with the humid conditions on Rod Laver Arena during a match disrupted by medical timeouts for both players on Monday.

Holder and world number one Jannik Sinner will play Holger Rune in the last 16 of the Australian Open after the Danish world number 13 beat Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic in five sets in the third round in Melbourne Saturday: 6-7 (5/7),