Sinner, Swiatek wrap up places in quarterfinals at Australian Open

Jannik Sinner battled through illness and reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open after beating Holger Rune 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 on Monday.

The stifling heat did not help World No. 1 and defending champion Sinner, as he began to struggle physically in the second set of his last-16 clash with the 21-year-old Dane, on a steamy afternoon at Rod Laver Arena.

The top seed did not want to go into detail on what ailed him, but admitted to having dizzy spells before a lengthy medical timeout in the third set, which proved to be a turning point in his victory.

"I wasn't feeling really well," said the 23-year-old Sinner, who matched the Italian record set by Nicky Pietrangeli, after reaching his 10th Grand Slam quarterfinal. "I think we saw that today, I was struggling physically."

Sinner will next face home hope Alex de Minaur, who put away American youngster Alex Michelsen 6-0, 7-6, 6-3 to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals for the first time.

On the women's side, Iga Swiatek was in excellent shape as she continued her bid for a maiden title at Melbourne Park and sixth major trophy overall, after downing lucky loser Eva Lys of Germany 6-0, 6-1.

Swiatek came into the match having lost only 10 games in the tournament, and the Pole sent out another warning to her title rivals by dismantling  Lys in less than an hour.

One of several searing forehand winners helped 2022 semifinalist Swiatek break Lys for the first time, and the 23-year-old did not take her foot of the pedal, as she closed out the opening set in 24 minutes.

Lys had enjoyed a historic run after she replaced Anna Kalinskaya in the main draw, following a loss in the qualifying event, but there was only more suffering in store for the woman who celebrated her 23rd birthday on the first day of the main draw in the Land Down Under.

Lys managed a smile and pumped her fist when she went 40-30 in front after conceding the first three games of the second set, and soaked up the loud applause after getting on the scoreboard to ensure she would avoid the dreaded double bagel.

Swiatek broke for the fifth time after a six-deuce game, and served out in style to book a last-eight meeting with American Emma Navarro.