Duckworth and Vukic achieve statement wins in Europe

Australia's James Duckworth has beaten world No.14 Ben Shelton, who is ranked 87 places higher. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

James Duckworth and Aleksandar Vukic have each pulled of one of the biggest wins of their careers to reach ATP 250 quarter-finals on the European grasscourt circuit.

Duckworth beat world No.14 Ben Shelton in Stuttgart while Vukic defeated former top-10 player Karen Khachanov, now ranked 22, in s'-Hertogenbosch.

It was Duckworth's third career win over a top-20 player and his best since defeating then-world No.13 David Goffin in Miami in 2021. A few months later that year he defeated Jannik Sinner, then No,15, now the No.1, in Toronto.

Aleksandar Vukic
Sydney's Aleksandar Vukic has beaten Karen Khachanov, the world No.22, in the Netherlands.

Khachanov was Vukic's second highest-ranked victim having previously beaten Borna Coric, then ranked 15th, in Toronto last August.

The results are a boost for both ahead of Wimbledon. Vukic has a place in the main draw while Duckworth will have to go through qualifying unless he gets a place as an alternate. He was fifth on the list but Rafael Nadal has already dropped out of the event.

Also into the last eight in the Netherlands is Alex de Minaur. After finding himself 2-5 down against Belgium's Zizou Bergs he won five successive games to take the first set before easing through the second for a 7-5 6-4 win. De Minaur, the top seed, now meets Milos Raonic.

But Alexei Popyrin is out despite winning the first set against second-seeded Tommy Paul. The American recovered to win 5-7 6-4 6-3 and will now face compatriot Sebastian Korda.

Vukic's win took two days and was a test of nerve. The 28-year-old Sydneysider prevailed in a final set tiebreak having twice failed to serve out at 5-4. 

Having taken the first set on Wednesday he was left to stew overnight after play was suspended due to darkness after Khachanov won four successive games to win the second set.

Resuming on Thursday Vukic again broke early to take a 5-3 third set lead, but Khachanov again broke back as Vukic served for the match at 5-4. 

However, in the tiebreak a thumping forehand by Vukic set up a 6-3 lead and three match points. On the second the fourth-seeded Russian went long after another strong Vukic forehand.

That clinched a 6-4 5-7 7-6 (7-4) victory in two hours, 39 minutes.

Vukic, currently ranked 87 after a difficult few months on clay, now faces defending champion, sixth-seed and local hope Tallon Griekspoor in the quarter-final. The pair have never met.

In Germany Duckworth, 101st in the world, won 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 6-3 in two hours four minutes. It was his first win over a top-100 opponent since early February

When the American wrapped up the second set in 35 minutes to level it looked as if Duckworth's day would be done, but the match went with serve until Duckworth, aided by a pair of double-faults, broke in the eighth game to take a 5-3 lead. He then served out, winning with his second match point.

The 32-year-old will now play former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini who beat Dennis Shapovalov 6-4 6-4.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store