Jack Draper survives in Australian Open tie-break four hour epic against home hope Aleksandar Vukic
ATP
Jack Draper certainly doesn't do it easy especially against home hopes it seems as he is through to the Last 16 of the 2025 Australian Open after taking down Aleksandar Vukic in what is his third five setter in a row.
Draper vanquished Thanasi Kokkinakis in the last round and had to produce heroics again to see off Vukic 6-4, 2-6, 5-7, 7-6(5), 7-6(10-8) coming through two tie-breaks in a row after Vukic let a two set lead slip.
After Draper sealed the opening set, he was broken three times on the spin as Vukic took control and was in the ascendancy. He finally put the set to bed from 5-0 up, he claimed it 6-2.
The first set was much more of an even affair as Draper let go his erratic previous outing as Vukic edged it but only on one break at the end of the set at 6-5. A game that also saw Draper have two break points before he lost the set.
But there were no breaks in the next as it went all the way to a tie-break. There was nothing to separate the duo in that either as Draper edged it only just 7-5 to head back into parity against Vukic with a deciding set to settle it.
One that saw Draper break to go 3-1 up. But Vukic even turned the tide and went 5-4 and 6-5 up on Draper but couldn't find the vital break and the Brit forced it all the way. He stormed into a 3-0 lead but again like in the set Vukic flipped it in his direction. He made it 6-5 but he never had a match point as Draper broke for 8-7 and brought up 9-7 for the first to ten match point.
He didn't succeed at first but the second time provided the goods as Draper moves through. It won't get any easier though as Carlos Alcaraz awaits in the Last 16. How Draper's body will now recover after three gruelling games in a row could play in Carlitos's hands. But it will certainly be one to capture the imagination in Melbourne.
What a fighter!!
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 17, 2025
Jack Draper wins a 3rd consecutive five-setter at the #AusOpen (second against a local player), beats Aleks Vukic 6-4, 2-6, 5-7, 7-6(5), 7-6(10-8) to reach the last 16 in Melbourne.
Next for him? Carlos Alcaraz!!! pic.twitter.com/phnANemKei
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