A misfiring Jannik Sinner dropped a rare set before taming American underdog Eliot Spizzirri in a drama-filled clash in wilting heat to make the last 16 at the Australian Open on Saturday.

Extreme heat triggered a suspension of play on outside courts at the Australian Open on Saturday and briefly held up the match involving champion Jannik Sinner before his encounter resumed under a closed roof.

Defending champion Madison Keys powered into the Australian Open last 16 on Saturday with a statement straight-sets win over former world number one Karolina Pliskova.

Giantkiller Iva Jovic has credited "kind and attentive" Novak Djokovic for helping her make a splash at the Australian Open, with the 18-year-old taking tips from the 24-time Grand Slam winner.

American 18-year-old Iva Jovic pulled off the biggest upset of her young career when she stunned Italian seventh seed Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 7-6(3) at the Australian Open on Friday for her first Grand Slam last-16 appearance.

He will become the youngest man to win all four majors should he push on and make his breakthrough.

The four-time Grand Slam champion needed 2hr 2min to see off the unseeded Russia-born Austrian Potapova.

Australian Open king Novak Djokovic said Thursday that record-breaking crowds were "a very good problem" despite complaints from some spectators about overcrowding and long queues.

Six-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek turned on the style to motor past Marie Bouzkova and into the Australian Open third round Thursday as she limbers up for a crack at a first Melbourne title.

Novak Djokovic sent 141st-ranked qualifier Francesco Maestrelli packing in straight sets to ease into the Australian Open third round on Thursday -- with a little help from his favourite tree.

Six-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz was put through his paces by German journeyman Yannick Hanfmann on Wednesday before swatting him aside to book his place in the Australian Open third round.

The world number one saw off the awkward Bai 6-3, 6-1, having threatened at one stage to complete the job in even more express fashion.

Double defending champion Jannik Sinner advanced to the second round of the Australian Open on Tuesday in just over an hour of tennis after his French opponent Hugo Gaston retired upon losing the first two sets 6-2 6-1.

The American ninth seed was a bundle of nerves on Rod Laver Arena, but calmed down to clinch a 7-6 (8/6), 6-1 win over Ukraine's Oleksandra Oliynykova.

Iga Swiatek survived a fright Monday before battling past Chinese qualifier Yuan Yue to launch her bid for a career Grand Slam in unconvincing fashion at the Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic embarked on his latest quest to win a record 25th Grand Slam by easing to an ominous straight-sets victory Monday at the Australian Open.

The world's top players wrote to the Grand Slams calling for significant improvements in prize money in April last year.

Gauff started her quest for a maiden Australian Open title with a 6-2 6-3 win over Kamilla Rakhimova.

Venus Williams fell at the first hurdle but said she was proud of herself after making history as the oldest woman to ever play at the Australian Open on Sunday.

Carlos Alcaraz kicked off his latest bid for a career Grand Slam by dismantling unseeded Australian Adam Walton 6-3 7-6(2) 6-2 in the first round of the Australian Open on Sunday, as the world number one showcased the power and precision befitting a player chasing history.