Zverev makes fast start at Australian Open

Alexander Zverev made a smooth start in the quest to win his first major at the Australian Open, where he moved past French wild card Lucas Pouille 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the second round in Melbourne.

Zverev arrived in Melbourne having won two matches at the United Cup. However, he withdrew ahead of Germany’s quarter-final clash against Kazakhstan due to a bicep strain.

The German seemed to show little sign of discomfort against Pouille, hitting 37 winners and saving both break points he faced to advance after two hours and 20 minutes in the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting.

“He’s someone that when healthy, he’s somebody definitely not at the ranking that he is,” said Zverev on 2019 semi-finalist Pouille. “He’s been in the semifinals here before. He’s definitely a great player. I wish him health, first of all, and he’s going to be back up the rankings soon.”

Into the second round for the ninth consecutive year, Zverev is hoping this is just the start of a two-week journey in Melbourne. The 27-year-old, who is aiming to become the first German man to win a major since Boris Becker at the AO in 1996, will next play Spaniard Pedro Martinez.

Zverev is in the same half of the draw as record 24-time major winner Novak Djokovic and third-seeded Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz. The two-time semi-finalist can’t meet either Djokovic or Alcaraz until the semi-final stage, with the Serbian seeded to face the Spaniard in the quarter-finals.

In other action, Jiri Lehecka defeated Australian wild card Li Tu 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(1) to remain unbeaten in 2025. The Czech, who reached the quarters at the AO in 2023, won his second ATP Tour title in Brisbane last week. Lehecka will next play Hugo Gaston after the Frenchman beat Aussie wild card Omar Jasika 6-2, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2. Ugo Humbert also advanced, defeating Matteo Gigante 7-6(5), 7-5, 6-4.