Day 6 of the Australian Open witnessed several significant developments in men’s and women’s singles as players advanced to the next round. Notable among them was the defeat of No. 7-ranked Jessica Pegula by Serbian player Olga Danilović in two sets.
The match between Pegula and Danilović was a closely contested one in the first set, with the Serbian emerging victorious in a tiebreaker with a score of 7-6(3). However, Pegula struggled in the second set, allowing Danilović to secure a 6-1 win and clinch the match.
Despite Pegula’s previous success in reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open for three consecutive years, she exited the tournament early this time. On the other hand, 23-year-old Danilović advanced to the fourth round of the Australian Open for the first time in her career, earning praise from fellow Serbian player Novak Djokovic.
Djokovic, ranked No. 7, also had a successful day by defeating Czech player Tomas Machac in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4. Djokovic has consistently reached the fourth round of the Australian Open, except for 2017 and 2022 due to unexpected circumstances.
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No. 2-ranked Alexander Zverev also secured a victory in straight sets, defeating the U.K.’s Jacob Fearnley 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
Aryna Sabalenka, the women’s No. 1, started the day with a 7-6(5), 6-4 win over Danish player Clara Tauson. No. 3-ranked Coco Gauff also won in straight sets, triumphing over No. 30 Leylah Fernandez with a score of 6-4, 6-2. Gauff showcased her signature style of play, combining finesse and aggressiveness to secure an easy win.
No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz defeated Portuguese player Nuno Borges in four sets, 6-2, 6-4, 6(3)-7, 6-2. Despite a setback in the third set, Alcaraz displayed resilience to claim victory and advance to the next round. His strategic shot placement and endurance were key factors in his success.
However, Naomi Osaka‘s comeback bid ended prematurely as she retired from her match against Swiss player Belinda Bencic due to a strained abdominal muscle. Osaka’s injury woes continue, raising questions about her future participation in the tournament.
In a grueling match, No. 15-ranked Jack Draper emerged victorious in five sets against Australian Aleksandar Vukic, with a final score of 6-4, 2-6, 5-7, 7-6(5), 7-6(8). The intense battle lasted nearly four hours and culminated in a dramatic finish with Draper executing an impressive shot around the post.
Reflecting on his performance, Draper acknowledged the physical toll of the match but credited the supportive crowd for fueling his endurance. He is now gearing up to face Alcaraz in the upcoming fourth round, setting the stage for another thrilling encounter.