Australian Open 2025 Day 6 Recap

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are only one win away from organising a juicy quarter-final in Melbourne after the pair progressed into the fourth spherical on Friday.

This time, it was Alcaraz’s flip to drop a set, overcoming the lack of the third set to defeat Nuno Borges 6-2 6-4 6-7(3) 6-2.

Djokovic then produced a rock-solid efficiency to dispatch twenty fourth seed Tomas Machac 6-1 6-4 6-4 to arrange a fourth spherical with one other Czech, twenty fourth seed Jiri Lehecka.

Second seed Sascha Zverev continued his march to the second week, coming via in straight units in opposition to Jacob Fearnley. He’ll face Ugo Humbert after Arthur Fils retired from their match when he was down two units to at least one.

Jack Draper and Aleksandar Vukic performed their third five-setter of the event within the evening match on Rod Laver, with the Brit popping out on high in a fifth-set tiebreak.

Day Six 2025 Australian Open Spherical of 32 Outcomes

Winner
Loser
Scoreline

Novak Djokovic (7)
Tomas Machac (26)
6-1 6-4 6-4

Jiri Lehecka (24)
Benjamin Bonzi
6-2 6-3 6-3

Jack Draper (15)
Aleksandar Vukic
6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6(5) 7-6(10-8)

Carlos Alcaraz (3)
Nuno Borges
6-2 6-4 6-7(3) 6-2

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Jakub Mensik
3-6 4-6 7-6(7) 6-4 6-2

Tommy Paul (12)
Roberto Carballes Baena
7-6(0) 6-2 6-0

Ugo Humbert (14)
Arthur Fils (20)
4-6 7-5 6-4 1-0 (RET)

Alexander Zvereev (2)
Jacob Fearnley
6-3 6-4 6-4

Alcaraz Blunders However Beats Borges

I like what I’ve seen so removed from Carlos Alcaraz, and he continued his spectacular run on the Australian Open on Friday, shifting into the final sixteen with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-2 victory over Nuno Borges.

Alcaraz set the tone early with a break within the opening recreation in opposition to World No. 33 Borges. And along with his tweaked serve, he was dominant, shedding simply six factors in every of the primary two units.

Borges, who made the fourth spherical in Melbourne final yr, fought again within the third set, coming via a marathon maintain at 4-3, the place he saved two break factors.

The Portuguese then missed a return on set level at 5-6, 30/40, however took management within the tiebreak, forcing a fourth set.

The one chink in Alcaraz’s armour is that he can change into low-percentage tennis mode (or spotlight reel craving mode), which may result in a flurry of unforced errors, and that occurred within the breaker when he misplaced 4 straight factors from 2-2.

Alcaraz shortly regained management within the fourth, breaking Borges and securing two love holds to start out the set earlier than cruising via.

Carlos’s 50 unforced errors are fairly excessive, in order that’s a stat to observe. He’s enjoying with a barely heavier racket this yr (a lead added to the ring, an attention-grabbing transfer contemplating he had elbow points earlier than), which may additionally contribute.

I missed Rod Laver. I’m simply actually, actually completely satisfied to have the ability to play right here as soon as once more. I attempted to point out my greatest tennis right here. For me, it has been a pleasure each time that I step on this court docket… The final time that I performed right here I misplaced [to Alexander Zverev in the 2024 quarter-finals], so I needed to play right here and get one other win right here in Rod Laver. I’m simply completely satisfied to see a full crowd right here watching my matches. It’s only a privilege to really feel this love right here in Australia, within the different a part of the world. I’m making an attempt to play completely different tennis, some completely different sorts of photographs. That’s what makes me take pleasure in enjoying tennis, what makes me smile on court docket and helps me to point out actually good tennis — and attempt to entertain the folks as properly, making them completely satisfied. Alcaraz on his win.

Zverev Foils Fearnley

Sascha Zverev has a little bit of a status for dropping units within the early rounds of the Grand Slams, however he’s began in Melbourne flawlessly, bagging his third consecutive straight-sets victory with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win over Nice Britain’s Jacob Fearnley. 

The one blip on his document was his first lack of serve within the event, doubtless attributable to the tough climate circumstances and Fearnley’s strong return recreation. Nonetheless, it made little distinction, as he broke again every time, sustaining his momentum to win in straight units.

Based mostly on what I’ve seen, in the event that they meet, Zverev can be an actual handful for Alcaraz. He sometimes performs properly in opposition to him, so I wish to see that match, however Djokovic may need one thing to say about that.

As for Fearnley, he performed very properly, and he’s now 77th on the planet. He’s obtained a pointy return and has made quick progress from the place he was a yr in the past.

Nevertheless, somebody like Zverev is simply too skilled and has that larger base stage, which allowed him to drag away on the key moments and get the job performed.

I believe my opponent did an incredible job of maximising right now. He was very aggressive, returning fairly properly. I’m proud of a straight-sets win. Far more tough circumstances to play [compared to previous rounds]. Within the first few matches, there have been excellent circumstances, no wind in any respect. As we speak was clearly very completely different. Jacob is an unbelievable participant, he went via all of the phases – going to school, enjoying Futures, Challengers – and now he’s enjoying on the large stage. I’ve huge respect for him. He’ll get higher over the subsequent few years. Zverev on his win

Djokovic Dominates Machac

Different Matches of Be aware

I mentioned in my earlier recap that Alejandro Davidovich Fokina loves a five-setter. On Friday, he continued his comeback heroics, rallying from two units all the way down to defeat Czech Jakub Mensik 3-6, 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-4, 6-2, saving two match factors alongside the way in which.

The victory despatched Davidovich Fokina into the fourth spherical of the Australian Open for the primary time, the place he’ll face American Tommy Paul, who beat Roberto Carballes Baena 7-6(0), 6-2, 6-0.

Jack Draper channelled his inside Adrian Mannarino within the evening match, profitable his third five-set match in a row in Melbourne by defeating Aleksandar Vukic 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6(5) 7-6(10-8).

Draper has had questions on his stamina during the last two seasons, however profitable three five-setters in a row isn’t any imply feat, and I believe he was the worthy winner on this shut encounter.

The Brit was down two units to at least one, however he recovered after which shook off relinquishing a 3-1 lead (and breakpoints for a double break) to win the deciding tiebreak by enjoying braver tennis. 

Draper’s reward is a fourth-round match in opposition to Carlos Alcaraz, who normally performs properly in opposition to. Nevertheless, after three five-setters, I believe it’s much more of an uphill job.

Australian Open Day 7 Spherical of 32 Matches