The screw holding the net in place at the Australian Open’s main stadium got jarred loose during defending champion Jannik Sinner’s fourth-round victory against Holger Rune, delaying play for about 20 minutes early in the fourth set.

The World No. 1, despite feeling unwell in sweltering conditions, kept up his title defense with a four-set triumph.

Jannik Sinner, the world No 1 and defending champion, looked to be heading out of the Australian Open until he was rescued by a controversial medical time-out.