In a gripping late night battle that will go down as an instant Australian Open classic, Britain’s Jack Draper prevailed over home favourite Aleksandar Vukic 6-4, 2-6, 5-7, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (8) to book his spot in the last 16. The four hour, five set marathon pushed both players to their physical and mental limits, with Draper ultimately showing the greater resilience to overcome a raucous Australian crowd and an inspired opponent.
Draper Withstands Vukic Onslaught And Vocal Crowd
15th seed Draper entered the match as the favorite on paper, but Vukic clearly had other ideas. Feeding off the energy of a patriotic home crowd, the Australian came out swinging freely, using his powerful groundstrokes to take control of rallies. After Draper snuck out the first set, Vukic stormed back to claim the next two, looking primed for a massive upset as the match extended into the early hours of the morning.
However, Draper displayed tremendous poise for a 21-year-old, especially in the pressure-cooker environment of a deciding set tiebreak. He raised his level when it mattered most, coming up with clutch serves and laser-like passing shots to stave off a valiant Vukic.
It was an incredibly tough match, Vukic played some unbelievable tennis. The crowd was so loud, but I just tried to stay focused and take it point by point. To get through a match like that, in my first Australian Open, it’s a special feeling.
Jack Draper, after his thrilling victory
Blockbuster Clash With Alcaraz Looms
Draper’s reward for surviving this epic is a tantalizing fourth round encounter with world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz. The 19-year-old Spaniard has looked in imperious form so far and will head into the match as a heavy favorite. However, Draper’s lefty game and aggressive ball striking could pose some interesting questions for Alcaraz, especially if the Briton is able to maintain the level he showcased against Vukic.
- Draper leads the head-to-head with Alcaraz 1-0, having defeated him in straight sets at the 2022 US Open
- A win over Alcaraz would be the biggest of Draper’s young career and announce his arrival as a genuine force in the men’s game
Marathon Man
This heart-stopping victory continues Draper’s flair for the dramatic at Melbourne Park. Remarkably, each of his matches so far have gone the full five-set distance:
- R1: def. R. Berankis 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(6)
- R2: def. P. Cachín 2-6, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-2
- R3: def. A. Vukic 6-4, 2-6, 5-7, 7-6(5), 7-6(8)
If the talented lefty is to make a deep run at this year’s Australian Open, he will surely be hoping to avoid the physical toll of further marathon encounters. But Draper is quickly proving he has the quality and fighting spirit to go toe-to-toe with the game’s elite.
Jack’s one of those players that can go as far as he wants to go. I truly believe he’ll be a top player one day. He’s got the game, he’s got the belief and he’s improving every single day. It’s all looking very positive for Jack.
Andy Murray, on Jack Draper’s potential
British Hopes Riding High
Draper’s gritty win caps a tremendous first week for British tennis at the Australian Open. With countrymen Dan Evans, Andy Murray and Cameron Norrie also safely through to the last 16, Britain has equaled its best ever representation at this stage of the Melbourne Grand Slam.
While Murray and Evans fell in the fourth round, Norrie scored a thrilling five set victory over young gun Sebastian Korda to give Britain a men’s quarterfinalist Down Under for the first time since Murray’s run to the final in 2016. If Draper can pull off the upset against Alcaraz, it would mark the first time two British men have reached the last 8 in Australia in the Open Era.
A Star On The Rise
Regardless of how his Australian Open campaign ultimately ends, one thing is abundantly clear – Jack Draper has arrived on the big stage. His thrilling victory over Vukic showcased all the weapons and fighting qualities that have the tennis world so excited about his potential.
While Draper will undoubtedly face many more challenges and obstacles as he seeks to fulfill his huge promise, performances like this demonstrate a rare talent and winning mentality. As the 21-year-old himself acknowledged after beating Vukic: “I’ve got a lot of work to do but I’m heading in the right direction.”
One thing is for sure – if Draper can maintain this trajectory, he’ll be delivering many more thrill rides on the Grand Slam stage for years to come. British tennis fans will watch his blockbuster clash with Alcaraz with bated breath, dreaming that it could be the start of something truly special.
