Vukic’s Poised Upset Halts Tsitsipas Momentum

Under the Memorial Drive lights on January 13, 2026, Aleksandar Vukic transformed a packed stadium into his ally during the Adelaide International. The Australian qualifier, ranked No. 87 in the PIF ATP Rankings, delivered a 7-6(3), 7-6(5) upset over Stefanos Tsitsipas, snapping the Greek’s 3-0 United Cup run and leveling their head-to-head at 1-1. Vukic’s steady returns and crowd-fueled resolve exposed Tsitsipas’s lingering vulnerabilities from a 2025 that saw him drop outside the Top 20 for the first time since 2018.

This home ATP 250 triumph, after battling through qualifying, marked Vukic’s 21st win against a Top 50 opponent in a 1-hour, 53-minute grind. He saved all four break points he faced, turning defensive scrambles into offensive chances with crosscourt redirects.

Victory for Vukic 🇦🇺

Aleksandar Vukic defeats Tsitsipas 7-6, 7-6 to advance in Adelaide!@AdelaideTennis | #AdelaideTennis pic.twitter.com/nnnFlPQxjd

— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 13, 2026

Shadows of 2025 weigh on Tsitsipas

Tsitsipas entered revitalized, his United Cup success hinting at a reset after a season of form dips and ranking slides. Yet the hard-court demands in Adelaide tested his backhand slice early, as Vukic’s heavy topspin forehands pinned him deep in baseline rallies. The Greek’s aggressive returns faltered under the lively atmosphere, allowing Vukic to build rhythm without yielding service games.

In the first set, Vukic employed a 1–2 pattern from the baseline—inside-out forehand into down-the-line backhand—to seize the tiebreak after Tsitsipas’s errors mounted. This tactical restraint, per ATP Stats, kept the score tight while eroding the intruder’s confidence on a surface favoring quick adjustments.

Tiebreak surges shift the duel

The second set saw Tsitsipas mix in serve-volley rushes to disrupt the flow, but Vukic countered with low underspin slices that forced mid-court errors. From 1-3 down in the tiebreak, he reeled off six of the final eight points, stepping inside the baseline to pressure second serves with angled returns. The crowd’s roar amplified each point, turning Vukic’s focus into an unbreakable edge.

This mental pivot highlighted how Adelaide’s medium-paced hard courts reward poise over power, especially for a qualifier thriving in the summer heat. Vukic’s adaptability—blending flat penetration with spin variation—neutralized Tsitsipas’s variety, setting up a deeper run.

Qualifier paths intensify ahead

Next, Vukic faces doubles specialist Andrea Vavassori, who upset Gabriel Diallo 6-3, 7-6(4) after qualifying, building on his 2025 Adelaide doubles title with Simone Bolelli and two Nitto ATP Finals appearances. Their matchup blends singles endurance with net instincts, promising another underdog clash. Elsewhere, Tomas Machac downed wild card James Duckworth 6-3, 6-3 for his first tour-level win since Shanghai, lining up against qualifier Quentin Halys after the Frenchman’s 6-3, 6-4 win over lucky loser Jacob Fearnley.

In an all-Australian wildcard affair, Rinky Hijikata defeated Tristan Schoolkate 6-4, 6-4 to earn a test against top seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. These results underscore a draw alive with momentum flips, where Vukic’s strike could inspire more surprises as the week unfolds.