Defending champion Sinner survives more than one scare in five-set thriller

World No.1 Jannik Sinner was on the verge of back-to-back shock exits at Grand Slam level, but managed to improve his horror five-set record at Wimbledon.

Exactly one month ago, the Italian star was leading by two sets and 5-1 against the unseeded Juan Manuel Cerúndolo in the second round of Roland Garros, but severe cramps from the heat impacted his ability to move, resulting in a jaw-dropping loss.

Heading into Wimbledon as defending champion, Sinner didn't play a lead-up tournament on grass and found himself a set down to Serbia's Miomir Kecmanović, before levelling the scores at the end of set two.

But the real scare arrived at 2-2 in the third, when Sinner took a nasty tumble, as a loud gasp was heard right around Centre Court.

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A few games later, cameras spotted the 24-year-old's foot bleeding through his white shoe, before soon trailing two sets to one and again finding himself with a mountain to climb.

However, he was only broken once for the entire match which came in the first set, as he found a way to progress to the second round (4-6, 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-2, 6-3) in over three and a half hours, firing an impressive 31 aces.

When asked about his bloodied shoe during the on-court interview, Sinner replied: "No no. I'm good. It just seems much worse than it is. I'm actually very surprised they let me keep playing because… all white, it turned into a little red. It's just a nail.

"I didn't want to disturb Miomir. I think we both had a good rhythm. It was a great match from both of us. I didn’t want to take any time."

Coming into the match, Sinner's five-set record was 6-12 (33 per cent).

Sinner seeks his ninth straight win at the All England Club when he next faces Nuno Borges.

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