Zverev, Paolini through to Australian Open second round
Zverev lost in three sets in the 2025 tournament final to Jannik Sinner, but found a way past 41st-ranked Canadian Gabriel Diallo 6-7 (1/7), 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 at the Rod Laver Arena.
New Delhi: World No.3 Alexander Zverev dropped a set but advanced to the second round of Australian Open while women’s seventh seed Jasmine Paolini never trailed during her first round victory in Melbourne on Sunday.
Zverev lost in three sets in the 2025 tournament final to Jannik Sinner, but found a way past 41st-ranked Canadian Gabriel Diallo 6-7 (1/7), 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 at the Rod Laver Arena.
It was the 10th straight year that the German entered round two in Melbourne Park but needed to work hard to tame his lanky 24-year-old opponent.
"Definitely wasn't happy when I saw the draw. He's very talented and unbelievably aggressive. It was hard to find my rhythm," Zverev said.
He was broken early and trailed 4-1 in the opening set, unable to cope with the Canadian's strong serve but then battled back to 4-4 and stretched the set to a tri-breaker only to fizzle out.
After the changeover, Zverev regrouped and fired back to go 4-0 and pocket the second set and went on to build a lead from there with a crucial break in the seventh game of the third set.
Victory was in sight for Zverev when Diallo's first service game was broken in set four as he set up a date with either Australian world number 49 Alexei Popyrin or 50th-ranked Frenchman Alexandre Muller in round two.
First upset
British qualifier Arthur Fery shocked 20th seed Flavio Cobolli 7-6(1), 6-4, 6-1.
"Incredible experience here. My first time playing a main-draw Slam outside of Wimbledon and it didn’t disappoint on such a great court with great fans as well,” Fery said after his win.
Paolini had not trouble in dispatching qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-1, 6-2 in her opening round clash while former top 10 player Maria Sakkari saw off Leolia Jeanjean 6-4, 6-2.
"I think I played a solid match. I was focused I think all the time, so it was good. It's not easy to play the first match and the slams on a big court, but I'm happy with my performance," Paolini said.
Elina Svitolina defeated Cristina Bucsa 6-4, 6-1 and will face either Pole qualifier Linda Klimovicova or Englishwoman Francesca Jones in the next round.
Vondrousova withdraws
Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova pulled out on Sunday with a shoulder injury. The Czech won her lone Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2023, but has since struggled for form.
"I'm really sorry that I had to withdraw from the Australian Open due to ongoing shoulder issues," she wrote on Instagram.
"After everything I've been dealing with, I need to prioritize my health, even though this decision wasn't easy. Thank you all for your understanding and support."