Australian Open Day 6: Jack Draper breaks Aussies hearts yet again

Heavily favoured Brit Jack Draper has outlasted Aussie journeyman Aleksandar Vukic in a five-set epic at Melbourne Park.

Aleksandar Vukic’s improbable Australian Open run has come to an end after a gallant, extraordinary loss to Englishman Jack Draper.

Two days after Draper ousted Thanasi Kokkinakis in five sets, he repeated the dose against a local hope in a 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (10-8) classic over four hours to devastate the home crowd.

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Vukic was largely unknown in tennis circles prior to this week, but the 28-year-old left a lasting impression after reaching the third round of a grand slam for the first time.

For Draper, his reward is a fourth-round date with Spaniard third seed Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday.

On another brilliant day of tennis, men’s seeds Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Alcaraz, Tommy Paul and Jiri Lehecka all progressed.

In the women’s draw, there were victories for tournament favourites Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, while seventh seed Jessica Pegula was upset in straight sets and two-time champion Naomi Osaka was forced to withdraw due to injury.

Vukic’s defeat leaves eighth seed Alex de Minaur as the last remaining Aussie in the singles draw and he continues his tournament against Argentine No. 31 seed Francisco Cerundolo on Saturday afternoon.

Catch up on how Day 6 unfolded below.

Originally published as Australian Open Day 6: Jack Draper breaks Aussies hearts yet again