Zverev overcomes slow start to reach Australian Open 2nd round

Third seed Alexander Zverev overcame a sluggish start to his Australian Open campaign on Sunday after recording a four-set victory against Gabriel Diallo in Melbourne.

Alexander Zverev hits a return during the men's singles 1st round match between Alexander Zverev of Germany and Gabriel Diallo of Canada at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 18, 2026. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

In warm conditions on the center court of Rod Laver Arena, the German recovered to beat 24-year-old Diallo 6-7 (1), 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in two hours and 43 minutes.

Zverev, last year's beaten finalist at Melbourne Park, had a fright when he struggled in the first set tiebreak before regaining his composure and taking control of the first-round match with his trademark powerful groundstrokes.

"The first set wasn't my best tennis, but afterward when I got into the match, I felt really good on the court and definitely happy with the level," said Zverev, a three-time Grand Slam finalist.

Zverev's quest for a maiden major triumph continues when he next plays Australian Alexei Popyrin or France's Alexandre Muller.