Australian Open 2025 Day 6 Summary

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are just one win away from setting up a juicy quarter-final in Melbourne after the pair stormed into the fourth round on Friday.

This time it was Alcaraz’s turn to drop a set and overcome the loss of the third set to defeat Nuno Borges 6-2 6-4 6-7(3) 6-2.

Djokovic then produced a rock-solid performance, dispatching 24th seed Tomas Machac 6-1 6-4 6-4 to set up a fourth round with another Czech, 24th seed Jiri Lehecka.

Second seed Sascha Zverev continued his march into the second week, coming through in straight sets against Jacob Fearnley. He will face Ugo Humbert after Arthur Fils withdrew from their match when he was down two sets to one.

Jack Draper and Aleksandar Vukic played their third five-setter of the tournament in the night match at Rod Laver, with the Briton coming out on top in a fifth-set tiebreak.

Day Six 2025 Australian Open Round of 32 Results

Alcaraz blunders but hits Borges

I like what I’ve seen so far from Carlos Alcaraz, and he continued his impressive run at the Australian Open last Friday, moving into the last sixteen with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-2 victory over Nuno Borges.

Alcaraz set the tone early with a stoppage in the opening match against World No. 33 Borges. And with his tweaked serve, he was dominant, dropping just six points in each of the first two sets.

Borges, who made the fourth round in Melbourne last year, fought back in the third set and came through a marathon hold at 4-3, saving two break points.

The Portuguese then missed a return on set point at 5-6, 30/40, but took control in the tiebreak and forced a fourth set.

The one flaw in Alcaraz’s armor is that he can switch to low-percentage tennis mode (or mark reel craving mode), which can lead to a flurry of unforced errors, and it happened in the breaker when he dropped four straight points from 2-2.

Alcaraz quickly regained control in the fourth, breaking Borges and securing two love holds to start the set before cruising through.

Carlos’ 50 unforced errors is pretty high, so that’s a stat to watch. He’s playing with a slightly heavier racquet this year (an edge is added to the arc, an interesting move given his elbow issues in the past), which could also contribute.

I missed Rod Laver. I’m just really, really happy to be playing here again. I tried to show my best tennis here. For me it has been a pleasure every time I step on this court… Last time I played here I lost [to Alexander Zverev in the 2024 quarter-finals]so I wanted to play here and get another win here in Rod Laver. I’m just happy to see a full crowd here watching my matches. It is just a privilege to feel this love here in Australia, on the other side of the world. I try to play different tennis, some different kinds of strokes. That’s what makes me enjoy playing tennis, what makes me smile on the court and helps me show really good tennis – and try to entertain the people too and make them happy. Alcaraz on his win.

Zverev Foils Fearnley

Sascha Zverev has a bit of a reputation for dropping sets in the early rounds of Grand Slams, but he has started flawlessly in Melbourne, claiming his third straight set in a row with a 6-3, 6-4, 6- 4 Great Britain’s Jacob Fearnley.

The only thing on his record was his first loss of serve in the tournament, likely caused by the difficult weather conditions and Fearnley’s solid return game. Still, it made little difference, as he broke back each time and maintained his momentum to win in straight sets.

Based on what I’ve seen, if they meet, Zverev will be quite the handful for Alcaraz. He usually performs well against him, so I would like to see that match, but maybe Djokovic has something to say about it.

As for Fearnley, he played very well and is now 77th in the world. He has had a sharp return and has made rapid progress from where he was a year ago.

But someone like Zverev is too experienced and has the higher base level, which allowed him to pull away at the most important moments and get the job done.

I think my opponent did a good job of maxing today. He was very aggressive and returned quite well. I’m happy with a win in straight sets. Much more difficult conditions to play [compared to previous rounds]. In the first matches, the conditions were perfect, no wind at all. Today was obviously very different. Jacob is an incredible player, he went through all the stages – went to university, played Futures, Challengers – and now he’s playing on the big stage. I have enormous respect for him. He will get better over the next few years. Zverev on his win

Djokovic dominates Machac

Other notable matches

I said in my previous summary that Alejandro Davidovich Fokina loves a five-setter. On Friday, he continued his comeback heroics, coming from two sets down to defeat Czech Jakub Mensik 3-6, 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-4, 6-2, saving two match points on the road.

The victory sent Davidovich Fokina into the fourth round of the Australian Open for the first time, where he will meet American Tommy Paul, who beat Roberto Carballes Baena 7-6(0), 6-2, 6-0.

Jack Draper channeled his inner Adrian Mannarino in the match of the night, winning his third match in five straight sets in Melbourne by defeating Aleksandar Vukic 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6(5) 7-6(10-8) ) .

Draper has had questions about his stamina over the past two seasons, but winning three consecutive five-setters is no mean feat, and I think he was the worthy winner in this close encounter.

The Briton was down two sets to one, but he recovered and shook off a 3-1 lead (and break points for a double break) to win the decisive tiebreak by playing braver tennis.

Draper’s reward is a fourth-round match against Carlos Alcaraz, who he usually plays well against. After three five-seaters, however, I think it’s even more of an uphill battle.

Australian Open Day 7 round of 32 matches