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Aleksandar Vukic has kept a photograph of himself as a kid at Melbourne Park on his bedside table, with the Australian long aiming to go deep in his home Open.
Aleksandar Vukic isn't satisfied with hitting a career high by reaching a grand slam third round for the first time, with the Australian journeyman hungry for more.
The Sydneysider was all smiles after taking the scalp of American 22nd seed Sebastian Korda in a rain-affected five-set marathon, winning 6-4 3-6 2-6 6-3 7-5.
He will next face top-ranked Briton Jack Draper, who battled past another Australian in Thanasi Kokkinakis in their round two clash.
Vukic and 15th seed Draper, who was troubled by back and hip injuries in the off-season, have never met before.
They will enter the contest on almost level pegging in terms of time on court, with both also winning five-sets contests in their opening matches.
The breakthrough at a slam has been years in the making for the 28-year-old, who prior to his professional career spent played college tennis in the USA, where he was named three-time All American.
Vukic has made the second round at Wimbledon the past two years and the Open in back 2022 but said he always felt he could do better.
"It's always kind of like, I think I can do better than second round," the world No.68 said.
"I was like, I don't want to just make second round. I want to do more.
"I don't want to just settle for that."
When asked if it was the best win of his career, Vukic said: "I think so.
"I think in terms of the situation, in terms of the atmosphere, in terms of everything.
"I think being down two sets to one against a great player in Korda, and fighting back when things weren't looking too good for me then and making my first third round.
"Yeah, it's got to be the best or one of the best, for sure."
Vukic said he kept a photograph of himself as a 10-year-old at Melbourne Park by his bed - the Australian Open long holding a special place in his heart.
He said he might update it with a new photograph from his 2025 campaign.
"I think I have a photo still next to my bed of that - playing with a lot of my family there, yeah, it's a nice moment.
"I'm going to have to find a photo somewhere and frame it."
He expected Draper to be another huge challenge but said that came with the territory of reaching round three.
"I'm not expecting things to get easier the further you go in a grand slam, nor would I want it that way," Vukic said.
:No matter who I play, I'm going to cherish the occasion and, yeah, go for the win."
Playing in the raucous John Cain Arena Draper was a target for local fans, who tried to will an injured Kokkinakis over the line.
Draper expects more of the same, facing another Australian in Vukic, but says bring it on.
"It was an electric atmosphere but I was obviously getting quite a lot of abuse from the crowd in between the serves and at the back of the court," the 23-year-old said.
"But to be fair, it gave me energy giving it back a little bit - I have a thick skin, it's just a bit of fun.
"It's good sport, it's entertainment, that's what it is, but like I said, it gave me a lot of energy and I appreciate that."
AUSSIE IN ACTION ON DAY SIX OF THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN ON FRIDAY:
Alexsandar Vukic v 15-Jack Draper (GBR)