Jack Draper v Carlos Alcaraz LIVE: Australian Open 2025 scores and updates before Djokovic v Lehecka

Back out and ready to return… Alcaraz gets us underway in this second set.

A sprint to the net and the most delicate forehand volley showcases the complete game of Alcaraz, he’s not switched off in the break between sets.

A routine hold from the Spaniard, there.

A little alarming, this, the medical timeout sees Draper disappear for a short time. He’s put his body through a lot this last week.

In a slugfest, Alcaraz prevails in set one after 56 minutes…

He produced 21 winners to Draper’s 11.

Much needed, there, VAMOS! screams Alcaraz, he holds and moves to 6-5. But what a contest this has been.

They’ll switch ends and Alcaraz has cooled down…

That is quite magnificent, Draper is controlling the rally and his backhand is deep into the deuce side of the court but the Spaniard sprints across the court and unleashes a rocket, GAME AND FIRST SET ALCARAZ!

Time spent on court at Australian Open 2025

A tense game here, Draper must hold to extend this set and he captures an ace at 30-30, measured and swinging away from the Alcaraz backhand. And he holds, 5-5, this fascinating first set takes a turn.

“It’s crazy,” Alcaraz says, visibly upset and remonstrating with the umpire. Towel gate again?

He’s rattled here after being warned over the time taken to serve.

Alcaraz is 54-1 at Grand Slams when he takes the first set… Not exactly promising for Draper as he attempts to break to stay in the first set… And that defeat after going ahead 1-0 was against Mikael Ymer four years ago in Melbourne in the second round. A different beast entirely now, of course.

Magnificent disguise on the drop shot from Alcaraz, that shot still so potent in his arsenal. But a rushed forehand gives Draper break-back point… 30-40.

Alcaraz not willing to waste any time waiting to serve it out himself, attacking Draper’s serve and dictating the points, sending Draper on a run and then putting the ball in the other half of the court.

But Draper has discovered an extra zip to that serve, can he pair it with the flattened out forehand? Game point, though, and didn’t he pick up two backhands superbly to stay in that rally? THEN, the whipped forehand, scrambling, rockets cross court and flashes past Alcaraz to hold. 3-5.

AND BREAK BACK HE DOES! *4-5. ASTONISHING.

In-to-out forehand, and Alcaraz is now ALIVE!

An ace, too, and this version of the Spaniard is now imposing himself on Draper. Already at 40-0, Draper must compose himself here, he battled so hard to stay level after four games, now the set is getting away from him.

Maybe that’s the spark? Reaching out wide of the lines, a forehand pass gives Draper hope. And another breathtaking winner from the return, a backhand cross court leaves Alcaraz rather puzzled. 40-30. But he’ll dispatch the next point at the net, game and Draper serving to stay in the set.