The Australian Open continues as Jack Draper set up a clash against Carlos Alcaraz after winning in five sets for the third match in a row, this time surviving a match tiebreak to defeat Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic.
After beating Thanasi Kokkinakis in the previous round, the British No 1 claimed another marathon win against an Australian player, fighting from two sets to one down for the third match in a row. Draper held his nerve to win 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6 7-6 (10-8) at 1am local time, setting up a blockbuster fourth-round contest with Alcaraz.
Novak Djokovic, meanwhile, overcame physical struggles to beat Tomas Machac in straight-sets in his best match of the tournament so far. Djokovic had dropped sets to inexperienced opponents in the early rounds, but dismissed Machac 6-1 6-4 6-4.
In the women’s singles, Aryna Sabalenka continued her winning run at the Australian Open while Coco Gauff stormed past Leylah Fernandez 6-4 6-2, but two-time champion Naomi Osaka is out after she was forced to retire from her match against Belinda Bencic.
Follow all the latest scores and results from Melbourne Park below:
Australian Open latest scores and results
- Australian Open third round begins in Melbourne
- Jack Draper through to fourth round after another epic five-set comeback
- Draper beats Australia's Aleksandar Vukic in match tiebreak at 1am local time
- Britsh No 1 will play Carlos Alcaraz after reaching last-16 for first time
- Novak Djokovic overcomes physical struggles to beat Tomas Machac 6-1 6-4 6-4
- Jacob Fearnley beaten in straight sets by second seed Alexander Zverev
- Aryna Sabalenka through to fourth round despite shaky win
- Naomi Osaka forced to retire after first set against Belinda Bencic
- Coco Gauff to play Bencic next after beating Leylah Fernandez 6-4 6-2
Australian Open:
14:36
,
Jamie Braidwood
While Jack Draper has taken the long road to the Australian Open fourth round, Carlos Alcaraz has breezed through.
The 21-year-old dropped his first set of the tournament earlier today against Nuno Borges but has hardly been pushed so far. He’s spent less than seven hours or court while Draper has spent over 12 hours...
Alcaraz results
R3: 6-2 6-4 6-7 6-2 vs Borges (two hours, 55 minutes)
R2: 6-0 6-1 6-3 vs Nishioka (one hour, 21 minutes)
R1: 6-1 7-5 6-1 (one hour, 54 minutes)
Draper results
R3: vs Vukic (three hours, 53 minutes)
R2: vs Kokkinakis (four hours, 35 minutes)
R1: vs Navone (four hours, one minute)
Australian Open: Jack Draper on Carlos Alcaraz clash
14:21
,
Jamie Braidwood
"I'm just thinking about my recovery and getting off the court to be honest. I don't want to think about him yet. He's a special talent, an unbelievable player, someone I have a good friendship with. I think it's gonna be an incredible match, and hopefully my body pulls up and I can give it my all – and it will be a great contest."
This will be the fourth career meeting between Draper and Alcaraz. Their last match came at last year’s Queens tournament, with Draper beating Alcaraz on the grass. Before then, they met on the hard courts at Indian Wells but Draper retired with an injury midway through the second set.
Australian Open: Jack Draper passes another marathon match
14:14
,
Jamie Braidwood
Draper barely had a pre-season after injuring his hip in December, so to come through three five-set matches in a row is just incredible. He admits he has surprised himself.
"My body doesn't feel too great, luckily I've got a good physio,” Draper says.
“But I think just mentally I've really competed hard, I've loved the atmosphere just playing in front of so many people.
“It's given me a lot of energy to keep on pushing and pushing, and I'm surprising myself."
Australian Open: Jack Draper speaks on court
14:09
,
Jamie Braidwood
Jack Draper, speaking to Jim Courier on court.
"Firstly, Alex played incredible. It was an unbelievably tough match. Both of us have played a lot of sets in our first couple of rounds.
“There were so many ebbs and flows, it was just great tennis. I appreciate you guys staying out so late for us, it was a great match
“I thought it was done, and then he just came back from the dead. He was playing incredible.
“I think we're suffering a lot, obviously, in the five sets and sometimes you get a little energy.
“It was just a great battle, and two competitors going at it. That's what sport's all about.”
Australian Open: Jack Draper through to fourth round
14:07
Remember when there were doubts over Draper’s physicality?
Well he’s just won his third five-set match in a row to reach the Australian Open fourth round.
He wins again in four hours, after playing the longest match of his career, in almost five hours, against Thanasi Kokkinakis in the previous round.
There is plenty of respect as Draper and Vukic shake hands at the net, and Draper is receiving applause too from the crowd. It has not been overly hostile.
Vukic, who was bidding to reach the fourth round of grand slam for the first time, let the win of his life slip away. The 28-year-old receives a standing ovation as he leaves the court.
Australian Open: GAME, SET AND MATCH
13:56
Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6 7-6 (10-8) Aleksandar Vukic
JACK DRAPER SURVIVES AGAIN AND IS THOUGH TO THE FOURTH ROUND!
Draper finds the massive serve down the middle and Vukic, who has played the match of his life, can’t return!
The British No 1 fights came from two sets to one down for the third match in a row, this time in four hours and in the match tiebreak, to reach the last-16 for the first time.
He will play Carlos Alcaraz next!
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6 6-6 Aleksandar Vukic - MATCH TIEBREAK
13:55
Draper attacks the second serve but doesn’t move in... instead, he goes short, and Vukic nets!
MATCH POINTS to Draper! 9-7
Draper tries to end it now... he goes big on the return, but it’s out!
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6 6-6 Aleksandar Vukic - MATCH TIEBREAK
13:51
Huge break for Draper! The net-cord comes to help him, as Draper then finds the forehand winner past Vukic from the net! Did he touch the net, though? 6-6 on back on serve.
Massive backhand winner from Draper! He steps in and powers it for a winner. 7-6.
Draper goes long on the backhand and Vukic stays alive! 7-7
A nervy point... as Vukic floats the slice long! 8-7 to Draper
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6 6-6 Aleksandar Vukic - MATCH TIEBREAK
13:47
Pure class from Draper! The forehand from inside the baseline drops in for a winner. 4-3
Draper could have done more on the next forehand from mid-court. He nets.
And now Vukic leads as Draper fires wide on the backhand return. 4-5
A big serve from Draper just when he needed it. 5-5
Draper pushes the drop-shot... but Vukic reaches it and flicks it back, Draper can’t reach it! Vukic leads 5-6, with serves to come
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6 6-6 Aleksandar Vukic - MATCH TIEBREAK
13:43
,
Jamie Braidwood
Draper strikes first as Vukic puts a tired forehand into the net! A nervy start from the Australian! 1-0
It’s followed by an ace from Draper, and then Vukic fires wide on the return. Great start. 3-0
Vukic steadies. Moving well, he wins both points behind serve. 3-2
And Draper is forced into the miss as Vukic roars! 3-3 at the changeover, but still on serve
Australian Open: *Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6 6-6 Aleksandar Vukic - MATCH TIEBREAK
13:42
,
Jamie Braidwood
We are going the full distance. A first-to-10 match tiebreak coming up for a place in the fourth round.
Australian Open: *Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6 5-6 Aleksandar Vukic
13:41
,
Jamie Braidwood
Brilliant hands from Draper to win the opening point! He puts away the volley after the net exchange.
Draper then digs out a half-volley, facing a huge Vukic return. The Australian strikes the net-cord.
30-0. Vukic nets on the return. 40-0.
Australian Open: *Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6 5-6 Aleksandar Vukic
13:40
,
Jamie Braidwood
Draper must hold to take this to a tiebreak but has to put up with whistling from the crowd.
The umpire asks for some respect.
Australian Open: *Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6 5-6 Aleksandar Vukic
13:38
The serving from both players has gone up a level.
Draper goes for the forehand down the line but sends it long by an inch.
Draper had the chance to attack Vukic but went for the drop shot and doesn’t do enough with it.
Vukic thrashes the forehand down the line and moves ahead once more.
6-5.
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6 5-5 Aleksandar Vukic*
13:33
,
Jamie Braidwood
Draper with new balls as he serves to stay in the match.
He does so with authority. Another ace for Draper, followed by a first serve that Vukic puts into the net.
What a time for a love-hold.
5-5.
Australian Open: *Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6 4-5 Aleksandar Vukic
13:32
,
Jamie Braidwood
That’s lights out from Vukic. Everything he’s going for now is coming off, from the drop shot to a forehand volley landed onto the line.
Vukic goes for the running forehand winner down the line... and of course it lands in.
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6 4-4 Aleksandar Vukic*
13:29
,
Jamie Braidwood
Solid from Draper to deny the charging Vukic, who landed a passing winner cross court to get to 15-15.
From there, Draper plays three excellent points behind serve, directing the forehand with confidence.
4-4 in the fifth.
Australian Open: *Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6 3-4 Aleksandar Vukic
13:25
Suddenly Vukic is playing at a superhuman level. From 1-3 down, he leads 4-3 in the decider and looks to have the momentum.
A monster leap and smash sends the crowd wild, and he thumps down the ace to move ahead. He is energised again.
Australian Open: BREAK! Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6 3-3 Aleksandar Vukic*
13:20
,
Jamie Braidwood
Vukic is back. The Australian raises his arms after rediscovering his forehand strike. He punishes the ball at Draper and brings up three break points.
Draper will have to dig himself out of another hole. Draper saves the first two, and there is noise from the crowd as he can’t find the first serve.
Third break point: Vukic attacks, Draper goes for the drop shot and Vukic finds the easy pass at the net.
Another big twist! Back on serve after it was nearly 4-1.
Australian Open: *Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6 3-2 Aleksandar Vukic
13:18
,
Jamie Braidwood
A huge hold from Vukic. He saves four break points, finding energy to keep Draper at bay.
The British No 1 pushed hard for that and found a stunning forehand winner.
But Vukic stayed solid on the pressure points, finding his serves.
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6 3-1 Aleksandar Vukic*
13:14
,
Jamie Braidwood
More pressure from Draper, with impressive depth to the baseline, forcing more errors from Vukic.
Vukic goes for another big forehand winner but he finds the net and brings up two break points for Draper.
Vukic roars as he saves them both! He stays aggressive and finds the forehand strike past Draper.
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6 3-1 Aleksandar Vukic*
13:10
It’s all become a little ragged from Vukic. He blasts wide again on the forehand as Draper closed the net and narrowed the angle.
From there, Draper closes the hold to consolidate the break. He seals it with a brilliant forehand winner onto the baseline!
Australian Open: BREAK! *Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6 2-1 Aleksandar Vukic
13:06
,
Jamie Braidwood
A Vukic double fault and error hands Draper some encouragement. He digs in on the baseline and Vukic nets on the forehand.
Break point. Vukic runs around his forehand... but blasts wide! Draper earns the advantage in early in the fifth!
He capitalises on Vukic dropping his level!
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6 1-1 Aleksandar Vukic*
13:03
,
Jamie Braidwood
Vukic doesn’t move to reach the Draper serve out wide on 40-0. The Briton holds to love as both players tick off their opening games without any fuss.
Australian Open: *Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6 0-1 Aleksandar Vukic
12:59
Vukic serves first in the decider and starts off with a forehand winner up the line, as we tick past the three-hour mark.
Vukic holds as Draper blasts long.
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6 Aleksandar Vukic
12:56
Draper is forced to wait as Vukic heads off court.
Both players had chances in that set, with five break points for Draper and four for Vukic.
At one point, Draper was 0-40 down at 2-2.
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6 Aleksandar Vukic
12:51
WE’RE GOING TO A FIFTH! Draper stays alive in the tiebreak, he finds the first serve and slams away the volley!
That’s daylight robbery from the British No 1. Vukic played so well and was so solid against the pressure. He didn’t give anything away.
Draper just took it to Vukic and stepped up the aggression. A big, big test passed from Draper as he heads to a third fifth set of the tournament.
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 6-6 Aleksandar Vukic - TIEBREAK!
12:47
Vukic raises his hand as he just clips the net and passes the onrushing Draper with the backhand. 3-4.
Draper controls the smash, under big pressure. 4-4.
Draper with another aggressive approach into the net. He puts away the volley and Vukic can’t return. 5-4.
Brilliant defending from Draper, who can’t do much more. Vukic is ice-cool and puts away the overhead. 5-5.
Awesome depth from Draper! He steps it up and will have set point, on serve! Vukic can’t return. 6-5.
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 6-6 Aleksandar Vukic - TIEBREAK!
12:41
Excellent start from Draper with the first-serve down the middle, sliding away from Vukic. 1-0.
Vukic returns with two super points. He puts away the overhead and then reaches the Draper pass at the net, controlling the volley. He is playing so well. 1-2.
A wilder swing from Vukic, into the net. Draper goes to the drop shot and Vukic can’t reach it. 3-2.
3-3 and still on serve at the change of ends.
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 6-6 Aleksandar Vukic - TIEBREAK!
12:40
Awesome from Draper, moving into the net to swat the volley and bring up set point.
But Vukic has nerves of steel and saves it again with the drop-volley. Brilliant control.
And after saving two set points, Vukic forces the tiebreak! He lands the big serve out wide.
Draper can’t return. So solid mentally from Vukic.
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 6-5 Aleksandar Vukic*
12:37
,
Jamie Braidwood
Draper is offered a look here as Vukic misses on the opening point. There’s pressure as Draper forces the forehand down the line and Vukic misses again.
0-30. Vukic, to be fair, keeps his cool to go for the drop shot. Draper can’t reach it. Safe forehands from Draper... and he nets on the backhand! Poor miss given that point. 30-30.
Vukic goes the winner... it’s wide! SET POINT to Draper! Yikes, Vukic goes for the big winner, but makes it! Deuce.
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 6-5 Aleksandar Vukic*
12:33
,
Jamie Braidwood
This time Draper makes sure he gets through to the tiebreak. A much better service game. Sealed with an ace. Back to Vukic.
Australian Open: *Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 5-5 Aleksandar Vukic
12:32
,
Jamie Braidwood
Vukic recovers from a tight backhand into the net to find the first serve. Draper nets on the stretch, and the Australian holds. 5-5.
This is where we were in the last set and both players had break points. Vukic took his.
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 5-4 Aleksandar Vukic*
12:29
,
Jamie Braidwood
Draper gets his easiest hold of serve for a while and forces Vukic to stay in the set.
Draper was on the brink against Kokkinakis in the last round, with the Australian serving for the match, so he won’t be in a complete panic just yet.
Australian Open: *Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 4-4 Aleksandar Vukic
12:27
This has been ice-cold from Vukic. He gets a big break on the net-cord but then finds the forehand winner and ace to hold.
Draper, I think, needs Vukic to totally bottle this as the Australian closes in on his best ever win.
This is the first time he’s been in the third round of a grand slam, having previously never making it past the opening round.
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 4-3 Aleksandar Vukic*
12:21
A double fault from Draper offers an opening to Vukic and he attacks relentlessly to move to 15-30.
Vukic makes the miss, and Draper roars. The Australian hasn’t missed much but can’t force break point.
He will get a chance though! Draper rushes the net but leaves the pass from Vukic, only to see it drop long!
Huge error from Draper, but he saves the break point with the big serve down the middle.
And that’s a let-off, or great escape, from Draper to hold. He finds the wide serve and winner into open court .
Australian Open: *Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 3-3 Aleksandar Vukic
12:18
What is going on. Draper frames the return from Vukic and sends it high into the sky.
When it drops down, Draper makes a show of making the catch but fumbles it.
Meanwhile, Vukic closes out the hold after jumping into the 40-0 lead.
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 3-2 Aleksandar Vukic*
12:12
A testing return from Vukic brings up 0-30. A woeful forehand from Draper hands him three break points.
This could decide the match.
But there is a HUGE response from Draper. He saves with the forehand winner then the ace.
Vukic nets as Draper brought him in, a let-off for Draper on deuce.
And he makes no mistake with another ace.
Big escape from Draper from 0-40 down.
Australian Open: *Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 2-2 Aleksandar Vukic
12:07
,
Jamie Braidwood
Draper gets very lucky as he mistimes a forehand but it catches the very back of the baseline. Vukic can’t return.
And the Australian then makes a double fault to bring up bring point on 15-40!
Wonderful from Vukic, who does not hold back and attacks Draper in every shot.
30-40. Draper can’t take advantage of the second serve and nets on the backhand stretch!
Deuce. And a third chance comes and goes as Draper floats long.
Vukic shuts the door. Three break points come and go. The Australian has now saved eight out off 11 break points faced.
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 2-1 Aleksandar Vukic*
12:02
,
Jamie Braidwood
Draper has to laugh as Vukic reaches low to flick a forehand winner around the net and into the corner.
The British No 1 needs to dig deep to finally put Vukic away on the smash. Good hold from Draper, as he finds another line on the forehand.
Australian Open: *Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 1-1 Aleksandar Vukic
11:59
Vukic escapes from 15-30 with back-to-back aces, moving level with Draper for 18 in the match.
On deuce, Vukic stays alive behind his second set and Draper than fires wide on the backhand to concede the game.
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 1-0 Aleksandar Vukic*
11:54
The fourth set is underway. Vukic attacks well and Draper has to serve on 30-30.
He delays, drawing some groans from the crowd, but finds the first serve.
Vukic fires out, and then Draper pushes his opponent into another miss to hold.
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 Aleksandar Vukic
11:50
,
Jamie Braidwood
Draper, understandably, heads off court after that meltdown at the end of the third set.
The crowd had not been hostile at all until Draper smashed his racket and delayed Vukic on set point.
But they have found their voice as Draper requires a big comeback again.
Australian Open: SET! Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-7 Aleksandar Vukic*
11:46
,
Jamie Braidwood
Wow. Vukic holds with an ace and now leads 2-1. Draper is booed and applauds the home fans. Vukic holds his hand to his hear.
This has suddenly exploded.
And Draper now requires another marathon effort.
For the third match in a row, Draper will have to come from two sets to one down.
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-6 Aleksandar Vukic*
11:45
What is Draper doing? He has destroyed his racket into pieces and has lost his shock-absorber, therefore delaying Vukic on set point.
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-6 Aleksandar Vukic*
11:43
Draper strikes first with a smart drop-shot, then Vukic blinks on the backhand into the net!
0-30. Draper is pushed into the backhand miss and can’t find the pass.
Still a chance, and now two break points! Vukic misses on the angled approach, which Draper fired back for a sensational winner.
It doesn’t matter. Vukic saves both. Draper was loose on the first and Vukic was aggressive on the second.
Deuce. And now Vukic finds his serve. ACE! Draper explodes and smashes his racket!
SET POINT.
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-6 Aleksandar Vukic*
11:41
I did not see that coming. Draper was firing down the serves until facing 30-30, where he missed four in a row.
Vukic will serve for a 2-1 lead.
Australian Open: BREAK! Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-5 Aleksandar Vukic*
11:38
We’ve yet to see a break point in this set, so a tiebreak looks likely.
But Vukic is pushing hard. He returns the Draper forehand with intent and forces him into the backhand miss.
30-30 again. Pressure points.
Double fault from Draper! Now we do have a break point.
AND AGAIN. Disaster from Draper! Two double faults in a row hands Vukic the break!
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 5-5 Aleksandar Vukic
11:35
Disappointing backhand into the net from Draper after getting a rare look at Vukic’s targetable second second.
But is this a wobble from Vukic? A strange drop shot is followed by a wayward lob. 30-30.
ACE from Vukic. AND AGAIN. Wobble? Nope.
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 4-5 Aleksandar Vukic*
11:32
,
Jamie Braidwood
Big pressure on Draper as Vukic lands the forehand winner down the line to get to 15-30.
But the British No 1 delivers three aces in a row. Sensational.
Back to Vukic despite hitting one of the shots of the match.
Australian Open: *Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 4-4 Aleksandar Vukic
11:29
,
Jamie Braidwood
Vukic is starting to grunt his way around the back of the court but pings a beauty of a backhand winner down the line.
The Australian goes on the attack and Draper has nowhere to go but attempt the lob, which drops long.
And Vukic levels again with an ace out wide. 4-4.
This may just come down to who can keep their serving percentage now we enter the business end of the set.
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 4-3 Aleksandar Vukic*
11:25
,
Jamie Braidwood
This is much better! Draper wins the point of the match so far, reaching down to Vukic’s push down the line to put the volley into open court.
Draper’s serve is a weapon again and he lands the ace down the middle to move ahead.
Australian Open: *Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 3-3 Aleksandar Vukic
11:23
,
Jamie Braidwood
Big miss from Vukic, standing over the backhand from mid-court he crashes the strike into the net. 15-30.
But Draper can’t do anything against the first serve, as Vukic slams an ace down the middle to get to 40-30.
Huge from Vukic, crushing the backhand down the line to win a 17-shot rally. Draper was a bit hesitant from the baseline.
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 3-2 Aleksandar Vukic*
11:18
,
Jamie Braidwood
Draper faces 15-30 but barks as he finds the first serve and Vukic blasts wide.
Ace from Draper, who then gets his wide serve in play to put away the drop shot.
After the non-event of the end of the second set, this is an intriguing match again.
Australian Open: *Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 2-2 Aleksandar Vukic
11:17
,
Jamie Braidwood
Vukic looks pretty serve when he gets his first in and is able to dictate the rallies with tricky top-spin.
A comfortable hold.
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 2-1 Aleksandar Vukic*
11:11
,
Jamie Braidwood
Really comfortable service game from Vukic, who is going about his business quietly but is making life difficult for Draper when he lands his first serve.
Draper replies with his best serving of the match, thumping an ace to hold in just 48 seconds. Signs that Draper is starting to turn it on again after going missing in the second.
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 1-0 Aleksandar Vukic*
11:06
,
Jamie Braidwood
Who will turn up in set three? Will it be set one Jack Draper or set two Jack Draper?
The British No 1 gets off to a good start with a passing forehand winner but Vukic continues to ask questions and lands a deep strike onto the baseline.
But Draper pushes into the net to put away the volley and thumps away the ace to hold.
Unlike the first two sets, Draper manages to hold serve to start.
Australian Open: SET! Jack Draper 6-4 2-6 Aleksandar Vukic
11:01
,
Jamie Braidwood
Vukic closes it out with an ace and roars! A very strange match so far, with two sets played in just 63 minutes. After playing so well in the first set, Draper loses his advantage almost immediately.
Australian Open: Jack Draper 6-4 2-5 Aleksandar Vukic*
11:00
,
Jamie Braidwood
Draper almost apologetically holds serve and Vukic will try to close it out for a second time as we tick over the hour-mark.
Australian Open: *Jack Draper 6-4 1-5 Aleksandar Vukic
10:56
,
Jamie Braidwood
Very odd set here.
From 5-0 up, Vukic double faults to hand Draper a chance to break back. Draper steps up his forehand and Vukic can’t return.
Another break and Draper has a lifeline.
Australian Open: BREAK! Jack Draper 6-4 0-5 Aleksandar Vukic*
10:53
What a turnaround in the second set. Vukic’s level has improved but Draper almost gave up on that game to be broken again. His mind appears to be in the third set already.
Australian Open: Novak Djokovic through to fourth round
10:51
,
Jamie Braidwood
Novak Djokovic after beating Tomas Machac.
“I’m very hot-headed right now. I think I played really well honestly. I’ happy with my game. I was surprised with the result, to beat him in straight-sets. He was a break up in the second set and I struggled physically there. I was able to turn it around. Overall, in the third I felt fresh and moved really well. This is definitely the best match I’ve played in the tournament.
“I was trying to catch my breath. I’m not 19 anymore, 19 times two, almost.”
Djokovic grew increasingly frustrated with the crowd on Rod Laver Arena in that third set.
Australian Open: *Jack Draper 6-4 0-4 Aleksandar Vukic
10:48
,
Jamie Braidwood
Draper is able to hang on in Vukic’s service game just long enough for the Australian to cool down a touch.
He makes unforced errors on both sides to hand Draper a look at break point, but the Australian digs in to save and hold.
He continues his run. Four games in a row now.
Australian Open: BREAK! Jack Draper 6-4 0-3 Aleksandar Vukic*
10:42
,
Jamie Braidwood
Vukic gets the double break! He almost takes Draper off his feet with his forehand strike down the line.
Vukic is back firing. Draper has perhaps just lost his focus.
Australian Open: *Jack Draper 6-4 0-2 Aleksandar Vukic
10:39
,
Jamie Braidwood
Vukic backs up the early break but Draper had a chance when standing over the net. He couldn’t put away the forehand on deuce, as Vukic gets over the line. It’s deja vu from the first seta as Vukic leads 2-0.
Australian Open: Novak Djokovic 6-1 6-4 6-4 Tomas Machac
10:38
,
Jamie Braidwood
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Novak Djokovic passes his biggest test of the Australian Open so far to beat Tomas Machac in straight-sets.
Despite appearing to struggle physically at the start of the first set and taking two medical timeouts, Djokovic advances 6-1 6-4 6-4.
Machac was a dangerous third-round opponent but made too many errors and could not repeat his victory over Djokovic from last season.
He sets up a meeting with another Czech youngster, in 24th seed Jiri Lehecka.
Australian Open: BREAK! Jack Draper 6-4 0-1 Aleksandar Vukic*
10:35
Vukic broke Draper’s opening service game in the first set... and he does it again at the start of the second!
Vukic set up break point with a wonderful drop shot. Draper found the first serve but couldn’t put away the forehand.
Instead, Vukic produces the pass on the run, taking the break. The crowd is not as wild as it was the other night but they are desperate to get into this.
Australian Open: *Novak Djokovic 6-1 6-4 5-3 Tomas Machac
10:30
,
Jamie Braidwood
It’s been a funny old night for Djokovic - who bounced his racket off the court a few moments ago - but the 37-year-old is now a game away from a straight-sets win and a place in the fourth round.
Australian Open: SET! *Jack Draper 6-4 Aleksandar Vukic
10:28
Class from Draper! On the run, he powers the forehand winner down the line to move to 15-30.
Draper stays in control behind that huge forehand and Vukic floats one long on the stretch.
Two set points! Vukic saves the first with an ace.
Draper gets behind the next serve, and takes the set with a lovely drop shot!
Wonderful opening set from Draper, after losing the first two games of the match.
Australian Open: Jack Draper 5-4 Aleksandar Vukic*
10:23
Draper looked to be in control as he finds another ace, but Vukic scampers to reach a volley and produce the pass - giving the crowd some life.
15-30. Great depth from Draper behind the forehand. 30-30.
Great serving from Draper. From 15-30, he holds to move ahead in the first set. Three
