Djokovic v Lehecka LIVE: Australian Open 2025 results and reaction as beaten-up Draper retires vs Alcaraz
British No 1 Draper was left hobbled after a brutal run to the last 16 and called time after two sets against the classy Alcaraz, who now meets Djokovic in the quarter-finals
Carlos Alcaraz set up a mouthwatering Australian Open quarter-final against Novak Djokovic on Sunday when his opponent Jack Draper retired injured when trailing 7-5 6-1.
Spaniard Alcaraz was well on top in the afternoon match at Rod Laver Arena against the Briton, who took a lengthy time-out between the sets.
The four-times Grand Slam champion now faces a rematch from last year’s Wimbledon and Paris Olympics finals after the Serbian brushed aside Jiri Lehecka.
"This is not the way that I want to get through to the next round. I'm just happy to play another quarter-final here in Australia," Alcaraz said on court. "But really sorry for Jack. He doesn't deserve to get injured. He couldn't prepare the start of the season well."
Elsewhere, second seed Alexander Zverev had too much for Ugo Humbert and, earlier, Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka produced dominant displays and remain on a collision course to meet in the semi-finals.
Follow all of the latest news and reaction from the Australian Open in our live blog below:
Australian Open: Novak Djokovic 6-3. 6-4* Jiri Lehecka - GAME, SET DJOKOVIC!
That’s the second set and possibly the beginning of the end, given Lehecka has only rallied from 0-2 once in his career.
Not much in that set, either, Djokovic will less winners (11) compared to Lehecka (13), though slightly less unforced errors (9) to his rivall (12).
Zverev has advanced to the last eight now, too, with a 6-1, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 win.
Australian Open: Novak Djokovic 6-3. 4-2* Jiri Lehecka
Magic from Nole!
He laps up the adulation, it’s a clever point on Lehecka’s serve to bring up 0-30.
The Czech has the veteran racing all over the court, but he reaches the drop shot and tickles it down the line to catch his rival off guard. Then the smash is disguised and subsequently delayed as Lehecka gambles, brushed into the ad side of the court.
And now it’s 15-40, two break points to move to 5-2 up...
Australian Open: Novak Djokovic 6-3. 3-2* Jiri Lehecka
Australian Open: Novak Djokovic 6-3. 3-2* Jiri Lehecka
Good sportsmanship from Djokovic there, with Lehecka fighting and putting away a lengthy rally.
This game is crucial, you feel, two breaks down in the second might dash the Czech’s hopes.
Impressive composure from Lehecka, he’s still alive here.
Australian Open: Novak Djokovic 6-3. 2-1* Jiri Lehecka
Djokovic losing focus, or rather refreshing his mental game.
He balloons a forehand into the Melbourne night sky, Lehecka is on the board.
Zverev back in control now too, he leads 2-1 against Humbert in the fourth set and is 2-1 up in sets, too.
Australian Open: Novak Djokovic *6-3 Jiri Lehecka - GAME, FIRST SET DJOKOVIC
Too easy, Djokovic out in front and snatches a first set in 37 minutes.
Murray with a gentle applause... But 12 unforced errors at the end for Lehecka, he needs to screw his head back on here, Henman is baffled.
He says: “The reality is you have to be better than one player each day, how well is he playing? OK, but his opponent has donated to him three games.”
Australian Open: Novak Djokovic 5-3* Jiri Lehecka
Now then, 0-30, a little hole for Lehecka, but he forces Djokovic deep, advances to the net and demands a high, guided backhand lob from the Serbian, it drifts out and the Czech has a foothold in the game.
But that’s poor, an unforced error and Djokovic has two break points, here we go... A second serve crashes into the net, dismal and a nightmare way to hand Djokovic a chance to serve for the first set.
“Horrific,” says Henman. “That was a late Christmas present for Djokovic.”
Australian Open: Novak Djokovic *3-2 Jiri Lehecka
Djokovic holding his nerve once more, but Lehecka standing up so far and not gifting his illustrious opponent much.
That was a captivating rally, the low slice from Lehecka is the key shot, claims Henman. It drifts just long, but he still has two more game points to level this up.
ACE! Three games apiece, this one bubbling away nicely... Meanwhile Zverev is 3-2 up, on serve, in the third set against Humbert, it’s 1-1 there remember, the Frenchman battling hard.
Australian Open: Novak Djokovic *2-1 Jiri Lehecka
Sir Andy Murray calm court side and just sipping his water. Djokovic comfortable and holds serve to regain the lead.
“It’s good enough, you only need to be better than one player each day, the challenges will get greater, it’s always the test of adversity, it’s not complicated when you’re playing well,” says Tim Henman.
“We’ll get a greater understanding of where his game is at when he’s challenged more.”
Australian Open: Novak Djokovic *1-0 Jiri Lehecka
That’s a positive start, despite starting with a double fault.
He caps it with an ace and walks straight to his chair, no emotion, he is DIALLED in.
Humbert has the second set against Zverev now too, 1-1 there. An upset bubbling, perhaps?