LUCIANO DARDERI writhed in agony with brutal cramp during a live TV interview at the Australian Open.
The Italian, 23, had booked his place in round four with a four-set win over No15 seed Karen Khachanov.
Saturday’s action in Melbourne was played in brutal conditions as temperatures soared to a sweltering 40C.
A severe heatwave warning was even issued by local meteorologists, with Aussie Open chiefs adjusting their schedule to start half an hour earlier in order to try to avoid the worst of the conditions.
Darderi’s match was first on Kia Arena and lasted nearly three and a half hours.
Following the gruelling contest, the No22 seed joined local coverage for an interview.
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In shocking scenes, Darderi suddenly winced with pain as he appeared to feel cramp in his hand.
The Aussie Open hopeful gasped with pain as the presenters placed comforting hands on his shoulders and asked: “You OK?”
And unfortunately the interview was forced to be cut short due to Darderi’s harrowing bout of cramp.
He won’t have long to recover, as tomorrow he’ll face compatriot Jannik Sinner in a tough fourth round contest.
The match has surprisingly been scheduled on Margaret Court Arena, although it is unlikely that either man will complain about being on the secondary stadium, with the 6pm start time meaning that they should miss the very worst of the brutal weather.
World No2 Sinner had a lucky escape during Saturday’s sizzling day session.
The two-time reigning Australian Open found himself locked at one set-all with Eliot Spizzirri when he too suffered bouts of cramp.
Spizzirri went a break up in the third against the ailing No2 seed, only for the Aussie Open’s heat rule to force players off court for 10 minutes in order for the Rod Laver Arena roof to close.
The break allowed Sinner to recover, with the 24-year-old going on to triumph 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-4.
Darderi knows Sinner’s game well, and even practised with his compatriot during the off season.
On his next opponent, Darderi said: “I think he has a really good level on hard courts, obviously. So let’s just try to enjoy, to play the best tennis and then see what happens.
“He is doing everything very well, so you have to push him into the difficult moments, or just to stay close in the court. He’s serving very well, returning, doing everything. That’s why he’s No2 in the world now.”
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