Australian Open 2025: Draper into fifth set with Vukic, Pegula out, Gauff by – reside | Australian Open 2025

Key occasions

Vukic is whipping the gang into an Australian frenzy as he slam dunks for 40-0, Pete Sampras fashion, as he launches himself into the Melbourne skies, not less than two toes off the bottom. Outstanding. How has the 28-year-old not carried out extra throughout his profession, given this efficiency? That is his first time within the third spherical of a slam, bear in mind. And he holds to fifteen for 4-3!

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Vukic, so subdued a couple of video games in the past, is now leaping on the baseline as he will get to 0-30. He’s then operating across the court docket and waving his arm within the air repeatedly when he brings up 0-40. Draper repels the primary two break factors however he can’t do something in regards to the third … as Vukic gobbles up Draper’s drop shot to move! From it very practically being 4-1 Draper it’s 3-3. This. Match. Is. Positively. Not. Over. But.

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Up to date at 08.23 EST

… benefit Draper, a 3rd break level. A lightning fast serve out huge snuffs out this one. Draper, operating to his left, flicks his wrist and curls his forehand across the internet for an ideal move! PlayStation tennis, that. Benefit Draper. Deuce. Benefit Vukic. Recreation. After saving 4 break factors, Vukic holds. He’s nonetheless a break down at 3-2, however he’s hanging on.

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Draper grabs for an ice towel on the changeover, a shocking alternative at previous midnight. No hazard of it cooling his momentum although, as he strikes to 40-15. And sport, as he dispatches a forehand winner deep into Vukic’s left nook. That’s the break backed up … and Draper is in lockdown mode now, sprinting to 0-30, with a tiring Vukic wanting off the tempo. That’s quickly 15-40 … then 30-40 … Vukic is courageous, as he was on the break level within the earlier sport, and this time his shot does land! Deuce …

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A fast leg stretch for me, and once I return it’s 1-1 within the decider. That is the one match nonetheless happening, because the clock ticks past midnight in Melbourne. Not that the gang are leaving, they’ve invested an excessive amount of on this match to depart now, although the good cash can be on Draper to finish the job from right here. Draper will get the primary likelihood to interrupt when Vukic tiredly hits into the online. 30-40. However Draper is just three out of 13 on break factors. Can he convert? Sure, as a result of Vukic goes for broke and whacks into the tramlines!

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Up to date at 08.24 EST

In case you’re simply becoming a member of us, a recap of what’s already occurred at Melbourne Park on day six:

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“One factor Jack is beginning to resemble Andy Murray in, is his health,” emails David Hindle. “He has held up brilliantly throughout this run of lengthy matches. He nonetheless appears to be like wonderful. Extra of that, in any case!” True, David. And one other means during which Draper stirs reminiscences of Murray is in placing his British followers by the wringer…

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Up to date at 08.03 EST

Draper’s defence is excellent, he by some means will get the ball again, it hangs within the air for what feels just like the size of this match (two hours 52 minutes now), however Vukic nervelessly slams down the smash! 5-5 … 6-5 Draper, and the set level is on his serve … and Draper serve-volleys his option to the fourth set! For the third successive match, Draper goes the space, after profitable a set he didn’t have a lot proper to. Vukic hit 23 winners, received 80% of first-serve factors, however the Australian couldn’t get the job carried out.

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The followers, whereas after all cheering for Vukic, are displaying Draper some respect although, it needs to be stated, regardless of his ear cupping on the finish of his victory over Kokkinakis the opposite day. Draper then makes an attempt to internet rush with out success. 4-3 Vukic, then 4-4, and 5-4 Draper when Vukic hits excessive and huge …

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Vukic concedes the mini-break instantly, because the umpire sternly tells the gang to cease screaming earlier than the gamers serve. Hmm, unsure they’re going to hear, particularly when their man is so near victory. Draper edges to 3-2, and so they change ends at 3-3 …

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1-0 Draper, who should win this breaker to increase this match any additional. 1-1, with Vukic doing properly to manage Draper’s lob. Draper has the prospect to lob once more, with Vukic on the nete, however as a substitute goes for an tried move. Vukic reveals sharp reactions to place away a profitable volley for the primary mini-break …

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No time to dwell on Danilovic’s victory, although, as a result of Draper, main 6-5 on serve within the fourth set, is 0-30 up on Vukic’s serve. Vukic holds his nerve with a drop shot that catches Draper without warning. It wasn’t the right drop, however Draper was too gradual to reply. 15-30 turns into 30-all, and Vukic slams a forehand down the road but it surely whistles simply huge. Draper has set level … and Vukic rips a nerveless inside-out forehand winner! Draper is screaming to Melbourne’s night time skies. Deuce. Benefit Draper. Deuce. Benefit Vukic. Recreation Vukic. We’ve received a tie-break … which is strictly what this set deserves! If Vukic wins it, he takes the match. If Draper does, we’re going to 5.

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Up to date at 07.56 EST

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“I’m tremendous completely happy,” beams Danilovic. “She’s such an awesome participant. I knew I needed to have my A plus plus plus sport to beat her. My first match on Rod Laver Enviornment. I don’t know what to say.” The 23-year-old world No 55 will tackle Paula Badosa within the final 16.

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Up to date at 07.35 EST

Olga Danilovic beats Jessica Pegula (7) 7-6 (3), 6-1

Sure Draper has been coping with a hip harm, which affected his low season coaching and compelled him to cancel a coaching block with Alcaraz, however his motion has appeared first rate immediately, it’s his focus that has been inconsistent. Vukic holds for 4-4, simply as Danilovic appears to be like near taking out Pegula on Rod Laver, main 7-6, 5-1. Danilovic has two match factors at 40-15 … and the Serb can’t chase down Pegula’s drop shot! 40-30 … and Pegula is saving her greatest till final, popping out on prime in an outstanding rally! Danilovic has a 3rd match level at her benefit, and Pegula’s return goes lengthy! The cameras pan to Djokovic, who’s celebrating his fellow Serb’s victory backstage. It’s one of many upsets of the week. And the largest victory of Danilovic’s profession.

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Up to date at 07.36 EST

“Vukic is, reality be advised, a better degree journeyman, and the type of participant Jack Draper ought to be comfortably placing away at this stage in his profession,” emails David Hindle. “Evaluate to how Murray commonly blitzed this degree of participant in 3 units. And did so yr after yr after yr in grand slams. A bit worrying, even when the latest accidents play some half.”

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Gasps and laughs from the gang as Draper turns into the showman, trying to catch a excessive ball in his arms, however as a substitute he’s left fumbling because it drops to the bottom. It doesn’t distract Vukic from holding for 3-3, earlier than Draper misjudges once more, leaving Vukic’s shot which he thought was going out … but it surely lands in. Break level at 30-40. Deuce. Benefit Draper. Recreation Draper, who’s by some means hanging in and leads 4-3. The extent has fluctuated, however that is an absorbing match.

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The court docket is shrinking for Draper, who slumps 0-40 down. May this be the start of the top for the Brit? No, as a result of he rapidly rediscovers his vary, recovering to deuce with the assistance of a forehand winner and ace, and he takes the subsequent two factors as properly to carry. Gutsy stuff.

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After Draper’s serving wobble throughout the denouement of that third set, now it’s Vukic who’s double faulting, and it provides Draper two probabilities to interrupt at 15-40. Vukic is c’moning after dispatching a winner. And he then lets out a yelp when Draper nets. Deuce. “Let’s go Alek, let’s go, let’s go Alek, let’s go,” chant the gang. However they fall silent when Draper brings up a 3rd break level. Draper flattens out his forehand but it surely flies properly lengthy! Deuce. Benefit Vukic. Deuce. Benefit Vukic. Recreation Vukic. Draper requested the questions there, however Vukic appears decided to see out this win. Vukic leads 4-6, 6-2, 7-5, 2-2.

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Nothing giving on serve to this point within the fourth set of Draper v Vukic. Draper holds to 30, Vukic holds from deuce and Draper holds once more to 30, regardless of a miracle shot spherical the online from Vukic that had even Draper applauding. In fact the gang don’t want any excuse to cheer their man. They’re closely behind Vukic, as they had been in the direction of Thanasi Kokkinakis in Draper’s earlier match.

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Pegula had conceded solely 9 video games coming into this match, however the seventh seed has dropped six already in opposition to Danilovic, and is three set factors down within the first-set tie-break. Danilovic delivers on the first time of asking, with a backhand winner. The world No 55 leads by a set to like, taking the breaker 7-3.

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Draper departs rapidly to regroup. He received’t neglect these two double faults at 5-5 in a rush. He’s usually so calm, but it surely’s Vukic who’s displaying the larger composure, although that is the 28-year-old’s first look within the third spherical of a slam. Draper’s deepest run was to the semi-finals of the US Open final yr, however even when he does discover a option to survive this match, that may be three successive five-setters, so would he have sufficient left within the tank, particularly as Alcaraz is awaiting the winner?

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As a substitute of taking his fury out on the balls, Draper opts for a extra mild contact, dinking over a profitable drop shot for 0-15. Which is quickly 0-30. Draper has the prospect to move however hits properly huge. So it’s 15-30. A fairly ridiculous level follows, with Vukic coming ahead, hitting a cross-court volley that clips the sideline, and Draper by some means conjures up a profitable move! 15-40, two break factors. Draper blinks on the primary. Vukic stands agency on the second. A serve bomb from Vukic, his quickest of the match, provides him a set level and has Draper smashing his racket to items. Draper receives a code violation for channeling his inside Medvedev. The Aussies are loving this. And Vukic is absorbing the acclaim when he secures the set with an ace! Vukic leads 4-6, 6-2, 7-5.

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Up to date at 07.04 EST

Now it’s Vukic’s flip to morph right into a serving machine, grabbing the sport to 30 with two successive aces. There’s been nothing giving on serve on this third set; no break factors in any respect. However simply as I kind that, Draper double faults! Solely his second of the match! And it arms Vukic the prospect to interrupt at 30-40. Vukic is dancing on the baseline ready to obtain, the gang are chanting their residence participant, and perhaps it distracts Draper, as a result of there’s one other double fault! Draper will likely be completely livid with himself. Vukic will serve at 4-6, 6-2, 6-5 for a two units to 1 lead!

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Draper is seeking to the skies when he thinks he’s produced a profitable lob, but it surely lands lengthy. Vukic reels off the subsequent level to carry. The Australian then has a glimmer at 15-30 on Draper’s serve. Draper steadies himself with an ace for 30-all, and one other ace makes it 40-30. And one other ace provides him the sport. That makes it 4 aces in complete for the sport and 17 for the match. Draper leads 5-4. How will Vukic reply? He should maintain to maintain this set going.

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An enormous level for Vukic at 30-all, he may do with a giant serve right here. Which the Australian duly delivers. He then drills a brutal backhand down the road after a 17-shot alternate! Draper is nowhere close to it. It’s 3-3 and we now have a set (and a match) on our arms. With the clock studying 10.27pm in Melbourne, although, they’ve nonetheless received a option to go to rival yesterday’s (or extra precisely immediately’s) 2.55am end, when qualifier Learner Tien pulled off that upset in opposition to Daniil Medvedev. Draper swiftly holds for 4-3.

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Up to date at 06.27 EST

Having been damaged thrice within the second set, Draper has rediscovered his serving groove, and sends down his eleventh ace of the night on his option to holding for 3-2 within the third. After Vukic began the match so strongly, earlier than Draper got here again to grab the primary set and Vukic ran away with the second, they’ve probably not been taking part in properly on the similar time. However this third set appears to be like rather more degree.

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Up to date at 06.32 EST

That retirement leaves us with two singles matches: Draper v Vukic and Jessica Pegula, the US Open runner-up and three-times Australian Open quarter-finalist, in opposition to the Serbian lefty Olga Danilovic. That’s going with serve early on, Pegula main 2-1.

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After Osaka’s retirement earlier, sadly we’ve had one other, with Fils compelled to name it quits, with Humbert main 4-6, 7-5, 6-4, 1-0. Humbert has the doubtful honour of dealing with Zverev subsequent, who’s appeared in wonderful contact to this point. May this lastly be the yr the world No 2 claims a slam? We’ve been saying it for a number of years now, but when he can maintain his nerve, his sport is sweet sufficient to step as much as the winners’ circle.

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And a faster than fast service sport permits Vukic to serve the got down to love! They’re degree at one set all, and given their monitor file at this match, we may very well be in for one more 5 units. Sit tight.

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Up to date at 06.16 EST

Draper v Vukic continues to see-saw. Vukic led 4-2 within the first set earlier than Draper took it 6-4. Now Vukic is 5-1 forward within the second, having damaged Draper thrice, with Draper’s solely sport coming from a break too. Draper appears to be like as if he’s lastly going to carry at 40-15, Vukick then dinks over a pleasant angled volley for 40-30 however makes no additional inroads within the sport. Vukic will serve for the set at 5-2.

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