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 in straight units towards 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 match within the night time 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, 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 recreation towards World No. 33 Borges. And along with his tweaked serve, he was dominant, dropping 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 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 rapidly regained management within the fourth, breaking Borges and securing two love holds to start out the set earlier than cruising by.

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 completely happy 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 wished to play right here and get one other win right here in Rod Laver. I’m simply completely happy 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 attempting to play totally different tennis, some totally different sorts of photographs. That’s what makes me take pleasure in 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 effectively, making them completely happy. 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 file was his first lack of serve within the match, seemingly 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.

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

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

Nonetheless, somebody like Zverev is just too skilled and has that larger base stage, which allowed him to tug away on the key moments and get the job carried out.

I feel my opponent did an excellent job of maximising at this time. He was very aggressive, returning fairly effectively. I’m pleased with 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 totally different. Jacob is an unimaginable participant, he went by all of the levels – going to school, taking part in Futures, Challengers – and now he’s taking part in on the massive stage. I’ve huge respect for him. He’ll get higher over the following 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 right down to defeat Czech Jakub Mensik 3-6, 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-4, 6-2, saving two match factors alongside the best way.

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 during the last two seasons, however successful three five-setters in a row isn’t any imply feat, and I feel 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 towards Carlos Alcaraz, who often performs effectively towards. Nonetheless, after three five-setters, I feel it’s much more of an uphill process.

Australian Open Day 7 Spherical of 32 Matches