JANNIK SINNER’S match against Holger Rune at the Australian Open was suspended for 20 MINUTES after a never-before-seen incident.
At the start of the fourth set, the world No1 lashed a first serve into net, making an even louder thud than usual.
When the net stopped shaking, it became clear it was now much higher than usual – as organisers immediately rushed to work out what had happened.
The net bolt, which sits in the ground in the middle of the net to help keep it in place, had completely snapped.
Net bolts consist of two parts – one attached to a strap that is wrapped around the net and the other is screwed into the court.
Sinner’s hit had broken the part based into the floor, which caused a huge delay.
Commentator Arvind Palmer said: “The net has gone there. That’s properly broken. I think both players will be happy with the break here, more time to recover.”
Cameras showed the bolt uprooted from the hard floor as several staff members hurried in to twist it back in, but struggled.
Italian Sinner, 23, used the time to sit down in the shade and wipe his face with a towel in the blazing Melbourne heat, before the players were told to leave the court by tournament ref Wayne McKewen.
The net was fixed after staff drilled a new housing for the bolt.
The defending Aussie Open champion and Rune returned for a quick warm-up just over 21 minutes later.
Sinner, who was 2-1 up in sets against the world No13, went onto win the match after claiming the fourth set 6-2.
When asked how the incident affected him the Italian said: “I was lucky today.”
Sinner looked out of sorts for long periods and took a 12-minute medical break during the third set.
He left the court to receive treatment after having a monitor attached to his finger during a medical timeout.
Rune had required treatment on his right knee before the final game of the set.
Sinner will play either Katie Boulter’s fiance Alex De Minaur in the quarterfinals.
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