Jack Draper proud to put doubts to bed with another five-set Australian Open win
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Jack Draper admitted his critics were right to question his staying power but was proud to have put those doubts to bed with a third-consecutive five-set win at the Australian Open. After going the distance against both Mariano Navone and Thanasi Kokkinakis, Draper again came from two sets to one down to see off unseeded Australian Aleksandar Vukic and set up a fourth-round clash with Carlos Alcaraz.
This time he could not be separated from his unheralded but impressive opponent until a deciding tie-break, which he just edged to clinch a 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6 (5) 7-6 (8) victory at 12.55am. Draper barely had the energy to celebrate and, having spent more than 12-and-a-half hours on court during his three matches, he must now try to recover for a first grand slam meeting with third seed Alcaraz on Sunday.
Draper has broken down physically in a number of matches, struggling with cramp several times, while he vomited after his first-round match here last year and during the US Open semi-final. Asked if he had a message for those who have doubted him, the 23-year-old was bluntly honest, saying: “No, not really.
“It’s the truth. I’m done after two sets most of the time. That’s just the way it is and that’s something that I’m aware of and I needed to be better at that. “I still have a long way to go, but this is a huge drive forward, the fact that I’m mentally and physically (capable) – three five-set matches, it doesn’t happen often. That’s a testament to the work I’ve done and the place I’m in. So I’m very, very proud of that.
