Defending Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner has returned to the quarterfinals, navigating an illness and multiple delays during a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over No. 13 seed Holger Rune.

Beyond highlight reel moments that included the Italian claiming a 37-shot rally in an exchange sure to contend for point of the tournament, Sinner’s latest victory Monday will be remembered for the circumstances that unfolded.

“Today was a very strange morning. I didn’t even warm up today, trying to go on court as fit as I could. I knew in my mind right before the match that I would struggle today,” Sinner told Jim Courier in his post-match interview.