In bizarre scenes, the fourth-round match between Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune had to be suspended because of a malfunction with the net.
Play on Rod Laver Arena was delayed for about 20 minutes as officials scrambled to find a solution to the issue.
The world No.1 and his opponent, 13th seed Rune, were eventually forced off the court early in the fourth set to enable officials to conduct repairs on a snapped bolt at the base of the net.
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Jannik sinner looks on at the broken net. Nine
"I've not seen this happen before where it's been ripped out like that," Todd Woodbridge said in commentary for Nine.
"I have seen the latch that the hook goes into for the net strap. I have seen those break [before].
"You have to be prepared for everything."
The players took shelter in the locker room as officials re-attached the net to the court.
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In one of the most gripping contests of the tournament thus far, both Sinner and Rune struggled physically.
At points, the reigning champion Sinner was seen struggling to breathe and his hands trembling in between points.
While leading the third set 3-2, he took a medical timeout that saw him leave the court for 12 minutes.
A few games later, Rune settled the score with a medical timeout for treatment on his right leg.
But Sinner prevailed, clinching the match 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
