Australian Open 2025 Day 6 Recap

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are only one win away from establishing 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 by way of 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 1.

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

Day Six 2025 Australian Open Spherical of 32 Outcomes

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, transferring 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 sport 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 12 months, fought again within the third set, coming by way of 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 swap 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 rapidly regained management within the fourth, breaking Borges and securing two love holds to start out the set earlier than cruising by way of.

Carlos’s 50 unforced errors are fairly excessive, in order that’s a stat to look at. He’s taking part in with a barely heavier racket this 12 months (a lead added to the ring, an fascinating transfer contemplating he had elbow points earlier than), which may additionally contribute.

I missed Rod Laver. I’m simply actually, actually blissful to have the ability to play right here as soon as once more. I attempted to indicate my finest tennis right here. For me, it has been a pleasure each time that I step on this courtroom… 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 blissful 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 get pleasure from taking part in tennis, what makes me smile on courtroom and helps me to indicate actually good tennis — and attempt to entertain the folks as nicely, making them blissful. Alcaraz on his win.

Zverev Foils Fearnley

Sascha Zverev has a little bit of a popularity 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 report was his first lack of serve within the event, probably brought on by the difficult climate situations and Fearnley’s stable return sport. 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 shall be an actual handful for Alcaraz. He usually performs nicely in opposition to him, so I want to see that match, however Djokovic may need one thing to say about that.

As for Fearnley, he performed very nicely, and he’s now 77th on this planet. He’s bought a pointy return and has made quick progress from the place he was a 12 months in the past.

Nevertheless, somebody like Zverev is just too skilled and has that increased base degree, which allowed him to drag away on the key moments and get the job achieved.

I believe my opponent did an awesome job of maximising immediately. He was very aggressive, returning fairly nicely. I’m proud of a straight-sets win. Way more troublesome situations to play [compared to previous rounds]. Within the first few matches, there have been excellent situations, no wind in any respect. As we speak was clearly very completely different. Jacob is an unimaginable participant, he went by way of all of the levels – going to college, taking part in Futures, Challengers – and now he’s taking part in on the massive stage. I’ve large respect for him. He’ll get higher over the following few years. Zverev on his win

Djokovic Dominates Machac

Different Matches of Word

I stated in my earlier recap that Alejandro Davidovich Fokina loves a five-setter. On Friday, he continued his comeback heroics, rallying from two units right 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 interior Adrian Mannarino within the night time match, successful 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 over the past two seasons, however successful three five-setters in a row is not any imply feat, and I believe he was the worthy winner on this shut encounter.

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

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

Australian Open Day 7 Spherical of 32 Matches