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

British No 1 Jack Draper silenced a fervent Melbourne crowd to defy home favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis and win a five-set classic to make the third round of the Australian Open.

Kokkinakis served for the match in the fourth set but 15th seed Draper staged a remarkable comeback to win 6-7 (7-3) 6-3 3-6 7-5 6-3 in the four-and-a-half-hour epic on John Cain Arena.

Asked by John McEnroe in his on-court interview how he had pulled off 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 I eventually came through. I’m very happy about that. I’m getting better each set and I’m really proud of the way I’m going about my tennis.”

Draper arrived at Melbourne Park still battling to recover from a hip injury suffered in pre-season and he has not yet found his best form.

But the US Open semi-finalist again showed tremendous heart and fighting spirit to reach the third round here for the first time, where he will take on another Australian in unseeded Aleksandar Vukic on Friday. Should Draper win that, he could face Novak Djokovic in the fourth round.

There were boos for 15th seed Draper when he stepped onto the court, although it was not quite the bear-pit generated by Nick Kyrgios.

Kokkinakis was wincing after serving from the first game but he produced an astonishing display, missing only three of 35 first serves in the first set, which he clinched on a tie-break.

A double fault from Draper at 2-3 was costly but he also lacked conviction on his groundstrokes at the tight moments while Kokkinakis did not waver in his full-blooded approach.

It seemed inconceivable that Kokkinakis would be able to maintain his serving level and he dipped immediately in the second set, a double fault costing him a break in the second game.

Kokkinakis hit back but a dreadful volley from on top of the net gave Draper another break for 5-3, and the British No 1 converted to level the match.

He looked to be in the ascendancy early in the third with Kokkinakis clearly in pain but could not take his chances and the crowd noise ramped up as the Australian moved ahead once more.

Controlling the atmosphere was becoming quite a task for umpire Marijana Veljovic, and Kokkinakis sportingly gave Draper a point in the fourth set after she had called a let for a disturbance just as the British player struck a winner.

Kokkinakis was already a break up and seemingly heading for victory but getting across the line has been the 28-year-old’s Achilles heel throughout his career.

Draper had experienced it in Davis Cup last year when he defeated the Australian, and serving for victory at 5-4, Kokkinakis tightened up, handing the break back.

Two games later Draper broke again to win the set, clenching his fist in understated celebration while his opponent looked to the heavens.

Kokkinakis continued to swing in the deciding set but he could not take a chance at 3-3, Draper earning boos from the crowd as he walked back to his chair.

The last laugh was his, though, as Kokkinakis’ resistance cracked in the next game, and Draper served it out to love.

‘Kokkinakis must be sick of the sight of the Brits‘

Sky Sports’ Jonathan Overend:

“Two five-setters at the start of a Grand Slam – what an effort! And actually, some of his best tennis was in that final set of the match.

“Admittedly, Kokkinakis was feeling the heat, feeling the pain and not anywhere near able to serve near his best, but I thought Draper played an incredibly mature fifth set. Really engaging his brain and playing sensibly.

“Never easy when you’re having to put away a stricken opponent and we’ve seen people in the past struggle to deal with that sort of situation, but not Draper.

“He always looked in control, had a slightly sticky moment mid-way through the set, but dealt with it so impressively. From that moment there was only realistically one winner and what a shot to close it out.

“Who doesn’t love a thunderbolt forehand winner to win a match at a Grand Slam? Brilliant from Draper. Easier matches lie ahead. Kokkinakis must be sick of the sight of the Brits after his thriller with Andy Murray a couple of years ago.”

Scot Fearnley comes from behind to defeat Cazaux

Jacob Fearnley broke more new ground to set up a third-round clash with second seed Alexander Zverev.

The 23-year-old’s professional tennis education has been going at warp speed and he followed up his upset of Nick Kyrgios in round one by defeating France’s Arthur Cazaux 3-6 7-5 6-2 6-3.

It is the first time the Scot, who only left college in the United States last spring, has made the last 32 at a Grand Slam.

Fearnley would have been expecting a more low-key atmosphere than the cauldron he faced on John Cain Arena on Monday but Melbourne Park’s Court 6 has a bar for spectators on one side and the fans settled in for the evening were eager to have a good time.

At least the Briton had a good proportion of the support this time, while there was also a lively section cheering on Cazaux, who knocked out 28th seed Sebastian Baez in round one.

The contest got off to a false start as rain swirled around Melbourne Park, Cazaux winning two games amid several delays before the players were forced off.

When they returned, Fearnley quickly found himself 5-1 down but he retrieved one of the breaks to get himself into the match and from there the momentum swung.

He began to overpower the slight Cazaux, using his forehand to great effect, and, once he had broken serve to take the second set, Fearnley kept control of the contest to reach round three.

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