Throughout the early years of Jack Draper's young career, questions about his physical preparation for his chosen sport followed him wherever he went. Draper, who has battled injuries and stamina issues, has always listened to those who think he didn't try hard enough, be professional enough or care enough about his technique.
Those days are over. Finito. For the third day in a row at Melbourne Park, despite a sluggish preparation and some rust lingering in the match, Draper found a way to cross the finish line in yet another frenetic five-set match that looked hopelessly lost. Somehow I found it. His guts and heart in the process are infinitely stored.
Despite losing by two points to an inspired opponent who hit wild winners from all parts of the court, Draper managed to survive and reach the fourth round of the Australian Open for the first time in his career, defeating Aleksandar Vukic (Australia). defeated 6-4, 2. -6, 5-7, 7-6(5), 7-6(8) in 3 hours 58 minutes
During three brutal wins in Melbourne this year, Draper spent 12 hours and 34 minutes on court. A year after he vomited into a trash can after surviving the first five-set match of his career against Marcos Giron in the first round of the Australian Open, Draper is now 5-1 in tennis's cruelest format. Contains.
With this stunning win, Draper sets up one of the most anticipated matchups in the draw. He will next face third seed and reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz. Alcaraz defeated Portugal's Nuno Borges 6-2, 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-3, continuing his quest for a career Grand Slam.
After his preseason was interrupted when a hip injury forced him off the court, Draper had to rely on his determination and heart instead of good form. Along the way, he broke new ground by coming back from the brink of defeat twice, winning both matches in five sets, against Mariano Navone and against home favorite Thanasi Kokkinakis, which was a feat he It was the longest two-game stretch of his career. In a late conquest, Kokkinakis served for the match at 5-4 in the fourth set.
Inspired by the great opportunity in front of him, Vukic opened the match with a series of aggressive forehand attacks and pinpoint serves. Draper responded well and played her best tennis to date to take the first set. But just when Draper seemed to have control of the match, his intensity leveled out. Vukic refused to let up on his relentless aggression and thoroughly outplayed Draper to take the second set and break serve at 5-5 in the third.
Down 6-5 in the third set, Draper lost his cool as he dropped a set point after squandering two break points in a painful final game. He destroyed his racket, prompting jeers from the previously restrained crowd. Draper sat down in his chair between sets, gesturing to the audience not to lash out.
Despite his frustration, Draper bounced back quickly. With time running out, he desperately tried to get through the fourth set. But Vukic had an answer for almost every tense moment, and his core forehand winner was always close at hand. After saving two set points with two spectacular winners, Vukic forced a tiebreak and kept the pressure on Draper until the end.
At 5-5 in the tiebreak and two points from losing, Draper raised his level under stifling pressure, eventually attacking his forehand with confidence and depth to score the final two points. He stole the fifth set.
After turning the match around, Draper was the first to capitalize on the momentum, breaking serve to take a 3-1 lead and then creating four break points on the Australian's serve for a double break. However, he was unable to pull Vukic away. After surviving his service game, Vukic immediately grabbed a break and dragged Draper to a final-set tiebreak. Somehow, Draper found the heart to win again.
