Coup Droit wrote:

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I must be the only one but I didn't think Jack deserved that match or was playing that well - SO defensive (except for his serve, which is not the same thing) - scuttling around, lifting the ball, using top spin nicely but barely ever really stepping into it and flattening it out - the play was all on the racket of Vukic - the commentators were right in saying Vukic was the clear aggressor and Jack was pretty reactive, not proactive

But wonderful for him to get the win, of course. And into the second week.

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 I don't think anyone said that Jack was at his best, in fact one or two have specifically said he wasn't. But I did think it a great match up of 2 battlers with very good attitude and pretty admirable by Jack in his circumstances coming into the tournament and having already had 2 five setters.

I think he was more positive than you make out. Officially he had 74 winners and 45 UEs as against Vukic's 81 winners and 53 UEs ( winners helped a bit I assume by 29 aces to 22 ) so not a huge deal in those. He was clearly absolutely going for it a fair amount in rally points, and I mentioned in passing some of his net rushing.

Whatever, I absolutely fail to see that he didn't deserve to win. Either could have won and it was Jack that ultimately got it over the line in the final MTB.

-- Edited by indiana on Friday 17th of January 2025 03:05:26 PM

Stircrazy wrote:

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For the record:

L32:  (2) Alexander Zverev (GER) WR 2 defeated Jacob Fearnley WR 92 by 3, 4 & 4 

Disappointing, but not a bad effort & certainly no disgrace.

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Stu Fraser's perspective.

indiana wrote:

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Jack vs Carlos is 3rd on Rod Laver ( still day session ) after Sabalenka vs Andreeva and Gauff vs Bencic. So set for a quite unearthly hour UK time.

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 Watching what looks like it will be the final set. Jack trailing 2 sets to love, 7-5, 6-1, and seems to be pulling up off shots and before I can get onto prime, Jack retires injured. Sad, but not unexpected. 

"It is not the way which I want to win," said Alcaraz.

"I'm happy to play another quarter-final here in Australia, but I am sad for Jack he doesn't deserve to be injured.

"I wish him a speedy recovery."

stevemcqueen wrote:

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It seems that Jack retired after losing the first two sets.  Clearly, the 5 setters have had an impact on his body.  I'd be interested to know whether it was general fatigue or something more specific.

Have a great Suinday everyone!

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 It appears it was his ongoing hip problem, and he is now going to take a few weeks off to try and sort it out before Indian Wells.

Stircrazy wrote:

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Stircrazy wrote:

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stevemcqueen wrote:

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It seems that Jack retired after losing the first two sets.  Clearly, the 5 setters have had an impact on his body.  I'd be interested to know whether it was general fatigue or something more specific.

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L16:  (3) Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) WR 3 defeated (15) Jack Draper WR 18 by 7-5 6-1 retired 

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Beeb report. Describes the hip problem as a "ticking time bomb".  

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 Yes, Jack said "Maybe it's a little bit of a ticking time bomb, considering I had no preparation and work for my body".

So a 'maybe' in there and it could be taken as more tournament specific than ongoing though the quote is "maybe it's a little ..." rather than " maybe it was a little ..."

Whatever, we know only too well that hips can be a real worry though for now for Jack this has apparently not been an ongoing issue but reared its head in the close season.

His retirement being at the set conclusion, I assume he could have continued for at least a bit. But in all the circumstances it looks entirely sensible to have gone no further at that stage.

Got to hope, after assessment and rehab, that it is for him a temporary issue and it would be great to see him pain free and ready to go for Indian Wells.