Vukic scores breakthrough victory at Wimbledon 2023

Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic has made a memorable main-draw debut at Wimbledon, scoring a four-set victory in opposition to German Daniel Altmaier.

London, Nice Britain, 3 July 2023 | Leigh Rogers

From exterior the world’s prime 200 in February, Vukic now sits at a career-high world No.87.

He certified at 5 tour-level occasions within the opening half of the season and likewise contested three ATP Challenger finals. His toil paid off, offering direct acceptance at a Grand Slam event for the primary time in his profession.

In his solely earlier go to to Wimbledon in 2021, Vukic misplaced within the opening spherical of qualifying, which is performed off-site at Roehampton.

“It’s very thrilling. It’s my first time on the main-draw web site. I’m nonetheless making an attempt to determine the place the whole lot is,” Vukic admitted.

“It’s fairly surreal. I even have my household and some my mates right here, so it’s going to be a enjoyable week.”

Vukic made certain his keep extends past the opening day too, posting a powerful 6-3 7-6(1) 3-6 7-5 victory in opposition to world No.66 Daniel Altmaier.

He fired 11 aces and struck 37 winners of their two-hour and 36-minute first-round encounter at Courtroom 9.

Altmaier served to degree the match at two-sets apiece, however Vukic managed to reel off three consecutive video games to safe victory.

“The gang actually helped,” Vukic mentioned. “I discovered myself somewhat flatter in the direction of the top. I didn’t actually sleep effectively final evening … and my eyes began feeling it in the direction of the latter stage of the match.

“It bought somewhat darkish as effectively. So I actually tried to make use of the gang as a result of they have been up for it.”

That is Vukic’s second profession Grand Slam main-draw victory and his first since reaching the second spherical at Australian Open 2022 as a wildcard.

He described this victory as “very particular”, noting it meant quite a bit to have his household and associates courtside.

“This sport is particular person, however with out them, I wouldn’t be taking part in,” Vukic mentioned.

“There have been moments the place I doubted whether or not I may do it and it’s extra particular to share these kind of moments with those that are there with you day-to-day.”

Vukic is the second Australian by to the spherical of 64 at this yr’s championships, becoming a member of Jordan Thompson who won a five-set thriller on the identical courtroom earlier within the day.

The enjoyable is ready to proceed for Vukic, who will face both No.27 seed and British hope Dan Evans or France’s Quentin Halys within the second spherical.

World No.79 Halys was main by two units when their match was postponed till tomorrow.

> PREVIEW: Five Australians in action on day two at Wimbledon 2023

Aussies in motion – Wimbledon

RESULTS
Gents’s singles, first spherical
Aleksandar Vukic (AUS) d Daniel Altmaier (GER) 6-3 7-6(1) 3-6 7-5
Jordan Thompson (AUS) d Brandon Nakashima (USA) 2-6 2-6 6-4 7-6(4) 6-3
[7] Andrey Rublev d Max Purcell (AUS) 6-3 7-5 6-4

Women’ singles, first spherical
Wang Xinyu (CHN) d [Q] Storm Hunter (AUS) 6-3 6-1

COMING UP
Gents’s singles, first spherical
[15] Alex de Minaur (AUS) v [Q] Kimber Coppejans (BEL)
Jason Kubler (AUS) v Ugo Humbert (FRA)
Chris O’Connell (AUS) v [Q] Hamad Medjedovic (SRB)
Alexei Popyrin (AUS) v [Q] Dominic Stricker (SUI)

Women’ singles, first spherical
Daria Saville (AUS) v [WC] Katie Boulter (GBR)

Gents’s singles, second spherical
Jordan Thompson (AUS) v [2] Novak Djokovic (SRB)
Aleksandar Vukic (AUS) v TBC

> READ: Doubles draws revealed for Wimbledon 2023

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