Australian Open: Alexander Zverev makes a successful begin

World no. 2 Alexander Zverev is off to a successful begin in Melbourne. Final yr’s Australian Open semi-finalist defeated Lucas Pouille 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 within the first spherical in two hours and 21 minutes at Rod Laver Area.

Thus, the German secured his 102nd Main victory and the twenty sixth in Melbourne. Alexander served at 73% and blasted 18 aces! He performed effectively behind the primary and second serve, defending two break factors and mounting the stress on the opposite facet.

Lucas, one other former semi-finalist, couldn’t observe that tempo. The Frenchman served at 55% and misplaced 35% of the factors in his video games. He defended 15 of 18 break factors however skilled one break in every set to hit the exit door.

Alexander Zverev 🇩🇪 supera senza grossi problemi Lucas Pouille 🇫🇷, sconfitto con un triplo 6-4, e approda al 2T dell’Australian Open dove sfiderà Pedro Martinez 🇪🇸🔥pic.twitter.com/txqbndFKhs

— Giovanni Pelazzo (@giovannipelazzo) January 12, 2025

World no. 2 landed 40 winners and 29 unforced errors. Pouille constructed the lead in essentially the most prolonged exchanges, however Zverev erased it within the mid-range and shortest ones. The German served effectively within the opener and challenged his rival to observe that tempo.

Alexander clinched a break within the fifth sport and generated three set factors at 5-3. Lucas saved them and extended the set. The favourite served for the opener at 5-4 and fired a forehand winner after a deuce for 6-4 in 46 minutes.

Alexander Zverev & Lucas Pouille, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot

The German stored every little thing underneath management in his video games within the second set. He broke within the first sport and made three extra pushes on the return. Pouille endured the challenges in video games three, seven and 9, extending the battle and lowering the hole to 5-4.

Zverev painted an ace down the T line, holding at love and transferring two units to like in entrance after an hour and 31 minutes. Lucas saved three break factors within the first sport of the third set and earned his first break alternative within the subsequent one.

Alexander saved it and held for 1-1. They served effectively within the subsequent 4 video games, with the Frenchman staying in contact. The German made a push on the return in sport seven and seized the third break level with a pressured error.

World no. 2 saved a break level within the eighth sport and held for 5-3. He served for the win in sport ten and landed an ace to seal the deal in type and transfer into the second spherical.