By Tony Fairbairn
- Jack Draper [15] def Aleksandar Vukic 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6(5) 7-6(8)
- Draper v Carlos Alcaraz [3] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 2-1
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Jack Draper completed the five set hat-trick as he defeated Aleksandar Vukic in a fifth set tiebreak to set up a blockbuster match with Carlos Alcaraz.
 |
|---|
Jack Draper [15] def Aleksandar Vukic 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6(5) 7-6(8)
Jack Draper is into the second week of the Australian Open after winning a fifth set tiebreak against Aleksandar Vukic. It is the third consecutive time that Draper has won a five set match as the Brit broke Australian hearts once again. The opening set was a preview of what was to come in this match as the set went by rapidly with Vukic securing the early break in the opening game.
The British number one made a slow start to the contest but eventually grew into the match as he produced some powerful serving to get on the board. There were no signs though that Vukic’s aggressive serving and returning was going to slow down as the Australian’s flat forehand was doing some damage.
However, Draper remained resilient and that resilience would pay off as he produced a clinical return game and broke to love for 4-4. That would be the start of a wave of momentum as Vukic crumbled when it mattered most with the British number one securing four games in a row to take the opening set 6-4 in just 30 minutes.
There were positive signs for Draper with the forehand doing the damage as well as his variety catching Vukic off guard. Although those positive signs would mean nothing if Draper wasn’t consistent and Vukic took advantage of the Brit’s drop off in concentration in the second set.
Just like he did in the opening set Vukic broke in the opening game but then capitalised on some amateur errors from Draper to seal a double break in the third game. A late break was a small consolation prize for Draper heading into the third set as Vukic sent the crowd wild by holding serve in the eighth game with the match perfectly poised at one set all.
The next stage of the match saw both players play their best tennis as they went toe-to-toe from the baseline. A barrage of aces saw Draper escape from trouble in the middle of the third set while Vukic had to rely on his first serve in order to secure tight service holds.
As the match increased in tension, it was Draper who blinked first as back-to-back double faults secured the break for Vukic at 6-5. Although Draper applied severe pressure in the 12th game, it was Vukic who held his nerve when it mattered most in order to secure a two set to one lead.
If Draper wanted to win this match then he would once again need to do it in five sets and showed early signs that this may not be his day. The Australian produced some aggressive returning and tested Draper’s serve under pressure with the Brit needing to save a flurry of break points. Save them, Draper did as a barrage of aces kept his hopes alive as he aimed to silence the home crowd just like he did against Thanasi Kokkinakis.
The more holds of serve that were produced from Draper, the more motivated he was to break and in the 12th game two set points were produced from the 15th seed on return. However, some clutch serving from Vukic denied Draper the break as this fourth set would be decided by a tiebreak and one Draper had to win. In a tight tiebreak Draper showed nerves of steel as he secured the set with a smash winner to take the tiebreak 7-5 and force a deciding set.
Despite this being his third consecutive five set match in Melbourne, there were no signs of fatigue as Draper took an early 3-1 lead and seized control of the match. There would be many more plot twists though as in the next game Draper missed many opportunities to take a double break lead and Vukic held serve to fire up the home crowd.
Those missed opportunities proved costly as Draper conceded the break in the following game as this set was now level at 3-3. This was turning into a real chess match and a real test of mental fortitude as Draper needed to turn the momentum once again in his favour. That is what Draper was able to do as a dominant service hold ensured that this match would be decided in a fifth set tiebreak.
It was a tiebreak that was tight and tense all the way through as neither man wanted to make a mistake. However, it was Draper who elevated his game when it mattered most as he won the tiebreak 10-8 and booked his place in the fourth round of the Australian Open.
Jack Draper [15] v Carlos Alcaraz [3] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Jack Draper [15] v Carlos Alcaraz [3] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 2-1 |
| Australian Open 2025 | Melbourne, Australia |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: A$420,000 |
| Third on Margaret Court Arena (Not before 04:30 GMT) | Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime
Sign up for 30 day free trial of Prime Video and a 7-day free trial of Discovery+ Player |
Draper will have a big challenge on his hands when he takes on Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz for a place in the quarter-finals.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (Last 52 Weeks)
| H2H: | Jack Draper (WR 18) | Carlos Alcaraz (WR 3) |
| Tournament Previous Best | Second Round (2024) | Quarter-Finals (2024) |
| 1st Serve % | 58.8 | 65.1 |
| Service Games Won % | 84.1 | 85.6 |
| Break Points Saved % | 61.1 | 61.3 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 51.2 | 54.5 |
| Break Points Converted % | 43.6 | 43 |
Draper will need to continue his clinical efficiency on return as Alcaraz has been serving with confidence in this tournament so far.
 |
|---|
Playing Styles and Prediction
It was an incredible 2024 for Alcaraz as he won two Grand Slams and the silver medal as he further cemented how much of a special player he already is. However, in Melbourne this year Alcaraz has the chance to achieve another milestone as he sets his sights on the career Grand Slam. The Spaniard will be hoping this year is his year to achieve that with a tough draw ahead of him.
Draper will use his serve to dominate most of the rallies as he will need to produce consistent quality if he is to have any chance of winning. Alcaraz will test Draper’s fitness by making him run around the court, using drop shots to bring Draper into the net. This will be a good opportunity for Draper to test himself against the very best in the world but the Spaniard’s energy and quality should have too much for the British number one.
Prediction: Alcaraz in four sets.
How to Watch/Follow Australian Open 2025
| Live Stream | Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime
Sign up for 30 day free trial of Prime Video and a 7-day free trial of Discovery+ Player |
| Live Scores | Tennis Scores Powered By TNNSLIVE |
| Follow Britwatch - Sport in General, Brits in Particular! | |
|---|---|
| Soundcloud | |
| YouTube | |
| We may receive compensation for products purchased via affiliate links on this website | |