Jack Draper: British No. 1 wins Australian Open to reach third round as Jacob Fearnley also advances | Tennis News

Britain’s world number one Jack Draper silenced an enthusiastic Melbourne crowd to challenge home favorite Thanasi Kokkinakis and win a five-set classic to reach the third round of the Australian Open.

Kokkinakis served for the match in the fourth set, but 15th-seeded Draper came back in style to win 6-7 (7-3), 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 in four and a half hours. Epic at John Cain Arena.

Asked by John McEnroe in his on-court interview how he achieved the comeback, Draper said: “I don’t know, it was a really tough match. Thanasi is an unbelievable player, someone I have great respect for.”

“I’m really proud of the way I competed today and succeeded in the end. I’m very happy about that. I’m getting better in every set and I’m really proud of the way I play tennis.”

Draper arrived at Melbourne Park still struggling to recover from a hip injury sustained in pre-season and is yet to reach his best form.

But the US Open semi-finalist once again showed tremendous heart and fighting spirit to reach the third round here for the first time, where he will face another Australian in an unseeded tournament. Alexander Vukic Friday. If Draper wins, he could face Novak Djokovic in the fourth round.

Draper, seeded 15th, was booed as he entered the court, although the field was not on the same level as Nick Kyrgios created.

Kokkinakis looked bright after serving in the first game, but he put in a stunning display and wasted only three of 35 first serves in the first set, which he won in the tie-break.

A double fault from Draper, with the score at 2-3, was costly, but he also lacked confidence in his groundstrokes in difficult moments, while Kokkinakis did not hesitate in his serious approach.

It seemed inconceivable that Kokkinakis would be able to hold his serve and he immediately fell behind in the second set, as a double fault cost him a break in the second game.

Kokkinakis responded but a horrific shot from the top of the net gave Draper another serve for a 5-3 lead, and the British No. 1 equalised.

He appeared to be in front at the start of the third set and Kokkinakis was clearly in pain but he did not take his chances and the crowd noise increased as the Australian took the lead again.

Controlling the atmosphere became a difficult task for referee Marijana Filovic, and Kokkinakis mathematically awarded a point to Draper in the fourth set after she asked to allow Draper to cause a disturbance at the time when the British player scored the winning goal.

Kokkinakis had already broken away and appeared to be headed toward victory, but crossing the line has been an Achilles’ heel for the 28-year-old throughout his career.

Draper experienced this in the Davis Cup last year when he defeated the Australian, and was serving to win 5-4, and Kokkinakis tightened his grip and broke back.

Two games later, Draper broke again to win the set, clutching his fist in simple celebration as his opponent looked to the sky.

Kokkinakis continued his swing in the deciding set, but he did not seize the opportunity at 3-3, and Draper received boos from the crowd as he returned to his chair.

He had the last laugh, with Kokkinakis’ resistance cracking in the ensuing game, delivered with love by Draper.

Scott Fearnley comes from behind to defeat Kazuo

Jacob Fearnley Breaking more new ground to set up a third round showdown with the second seed Alexander Zverev.

The 23-year-old’s professional tennis education was going very quickly, and he followed up his first-round win over Nick Kyrgios with a 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 victory over Frenchman Arthur Cazeau.

This is the first time that the Scottish player, who left college in the United States last spring, has reached the round of 32 in a Grand Slam tournament.

Fernley was expecting a quieter atmosphere than the one he encountered at John Cain Arena on Monday, but Court 6 at Melbourne Park had a spectator bar to one side and fans settled in for the evening and were keen to have a good time. .

At least the Briton had a good percentage of support this time, while there was also a lively section cheering for Kazu, who knocked out 28th seed Sebastian Baez in the first round.

The match got off to a false start as rain fell around Melbourne Park, and Kazoo won two games amid several delays before the players were forced off.

When they came back, Fernley soon found themselves 5-1 down, but recovered one of the breaks to get into the game and from there the momentum began.

He began to overpower the minor Kazuo, using his forehand to great effect, and once he broke to take the second set, Fearnley maintained control of the match going into the third round.

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