British No.1 Jack Draper silenced a fiery Melbourne crowd to defy home favorite Thanasi Kokkinakis to win a classic five-set match to reach the third round of the Australian Open.
Kokinakis served for the match in the fourth set but 15th seed Draper staged a remarkable comeback to win 6-7 (7-3) 6-3 3-6 7-5 6-3 in a four-and-a-half-hour epic at John Cain Arena .
Asked by John McEnroe in his on-court interview how he pulled off the comeback, Draper said: “I don't know, it was a really tough match. Thanasi is an incredible player, someone I have a lot of respect for.
“I'm really proud of the way I competed today and I came through in the end. I am very happy about that. I'm getting better every set and I'm really proud of the way I play my tennis. “
Draper arrived at Melbourne Park still struggling to recover from a hip injury sustained in pre-season and has yet to find his best form.
But the US Open semi-finalist again showed huge heart and fight to reach the third round for the first time here, where he will meet another unseeded Australian Aleksandar Vukić on Friday. If Draper wins that, he could face Novak Djokovic in the fourth round.
There were boos for 15th-seeded Draper when he took the court, although it wasn't quite the pit created by Nick Kyrgios.
Kokkinakis was reeling after serving from the opening game but produced a stunning display, missing just three of 35 first serves in the first set, which he won in a tie-break.
A double fault by Draper at 2-3 was costly, but he also lacked conviction in his groundstrokes at tight times, while Kokinakis did not waver in his full-blooded approach.
It seemed inconceivable that Kokinakis would be able to maintain his level of service and he promptly fell in the second set, and a double fault cost him a break in the second game.
Kokkinakis fought back but a terrific volley from the top of the net gave Draper another break for 5-3 and the British No.1 converted to level the match.
Kokinakis couldn't find a way over the line against Draper
He appeared to be on top at the start of the third, with Kokkinakis clearly in pain, but he could take no chances and the crowd roar increased as the Aussie surged forward once more.
Controlling the atmosphere became a real task for umpire Marijana Veljovic, and Kokkinakis sportily awarded Draper a point in the fourth set after allowing an interference moment when the Briton hit a winner.
Kokinakis was already on the break and seemingly headed for victory, but crossing the line has been the 28-year-old's Achilles heel throughout his career.
Draper experienced this in the Davis Cup last year when he defeated the Australian, and serving for a 5-4 victory, Kokkinakis braced himself and broke back.
Two games later, Draper broke again to win the set, pumping his fist in understated celebration as his opponent looked to the heavens.
Kokinakis continued to swing in the deciding set but could not take any chances at 3-3, Draper earning boos from the crowd as he returned to his chair.
He had the last laugh though, as Kokkinakis' resistance was broken in the next game and Draper served him to love.
Scot Fearnley comes from behind and tackles Cazaux
Jacob Fearnley has set up a third-round clash with second-seeded Alexander Zverev
Jacob Fearnley opened a new field and set up a third round clash with the second seed Alexander Zverev.
The 23-year-old's professional tennis education has progressed at warp speed and he continued his upset of Nick Kyrgios in the first round by beating Frenchman Arthur Cazaux 3-6 7-5 6-2 6-3.
It is the first time the Scot, who dropped out of college in the United States last spring, has reached the last 32 at a Grand Slam tournament.
Fearnley was expecting a more subdued atmosphere than the cauldron he faced at John Cain Arena on Monday, but Melbourne Park's Court 6 has a spectators' bar on one side and fans settling in for the evening were keen to have a good time.
At least the Briton had a good amount of support this time, while the live stock cheered for Cazaux, who knocked out 28th seed Sebastian Baez in the first round.
The contest got off to a rocky start as rain lashed Melbourne Park, Cazaux winning two games amid several delays before the players were forced to leave the game.
When they came back, Fearnley quickly went 5-1 up, but recovered one of the breaks to take the match and the momentum took off from there.
He began to overcome the slight Cazaux, using his forehand to great effect, and after breaking serve for the second set, Fearnley kept control of the contest and reached the third round.
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