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.

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 victory over Holger Rune.

Jannik Sinner has kept his Australian Open title defence alive with a hard-fought win over Denmark's Holger Rune while Gael Monfils retired against Ben Shelton.

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.