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Aussie underdog enjoys his “finest moment” with five-set Australian Open upset
Lachlan Geleit • January 16th, 2025 11:52 am
Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic had the best win of his career on Wednesday night, defeating No. 22 seed Sebastian Korda 6-4, 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 to progress to the third round.
The 28-year-old was the only Aussie to win a singles match on day four and it’s the first time he’s progressed to the third round of a Grand Slam in 11 attempts.
The rain-affected five-set marathon lasted over six hours and SEN tennis expert Brett Phillips described his victory as the finest moment of his professional tennis career.
“Everyone, get behind the ‘Vuk’,” Phillips said on SEN Breakfast.
“If you walk past him you might not recognise him, but this is a guy who gives you good bang for buck.
“He’s got a really dynamic game and he’s a really good young guy who’s dedicated to what he does, he rolls his sleeves up and works on his craft every day.
“He tends to go about it in his own way … but last night to beat a player of the calibre of Seb Korda is his finest moment he’s had on a tennis court because he does possess some really big weapons.”
While Vukic has been a professional since 2018, Phillips thinks things might finally be coming together for the Sydney native and he hopes the victory gives him confidence to perform again on the big stage.
“Your window can come at different stages,” Phillips said.
“Whether it’s when you mature or when the whole package comes together, maybe the best is ahead for Alex Vukic.
“If you get a win like last night, you go, ‘I’m actually capable of performing like this on the big stage’.”
The Aussie next faces No. 15 seed Jack Draper on Friday after the Brit beat fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis in a five-set clash on Wednesday night.
