On paper, the match lasted three hours and 17 minutes but with play suspended midway through the second set due to heavy rain in Melbourne, the contest stretched beyond six hours.
World No.68 Vukic was leading 22nd seed Korda 6-4 2-4 before the rain stoppage and ultimately prevailed 6-4 3-6 2-6 6-3 7-5 on Kia Arena.
The 28-year-old broke Korda's serve at 5-5 and finished the match off with a thumping ace.
It's Vukic's day at Kia Arena 🇦🇺— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) The Aussie storms into his maiden grand slam third round, defeating Sebastian Korda 6-4 3-6 2-6 6-3 7-5.@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/q5Jhhz8c0XJanuary 15, 2025
"Lets freaking go. Come on!" Vukic said in his on-court interview.
"This was the most Melbourne day I've ever experienced in my life, I'm bloody freezing .
"That second set, when we went off, I thought that was maybe it for tonight.
"I've had a few good wins but that one in a grand slam, in a five setter, is really nice.
"It's so good to win in five sets. It'd be nice to win in three but winning in five in Australia - I'm tired but I'm pretty awake as well. So I'll take it."
Vukic hailed the home crowd for lifting him after Korda claimed the second and third sets.
He will play either countryman Thanasi Kokkinakis or 15th seed Jack Draper in the third round.
"Tonight I'm gonna get some sleep and then tomorrow I'm gonna think about whoever I play," he said.
"Listen, it's not supposed to get easier from here."
Vukic and James Duckworth are scheduled to play Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios in their doubles opener on Thursday night.
