When Alexander Zverev addressed reporters on the eve of Australian Open 2025, he asked, “Everybody knows what my goal and my dreams are, right?”
Indeed.
The German has always been open about wanting to win a Grand Slam.
There was agony for him at the 2020 US Open, as Zverev led by two sets but couldn’t serve out the finale against pal Dominic Thiem.
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More came last year in his second final at a major, relinquishing a 2-1 lead in sets against Carlos Alcaraz at the French Open.
In both those fortnights, Zverev dug deep in early rounds, which possibly took a toll during the final weekend. Overall at majors, extended affairs aren’t unusual for the 27-year-old.
Up to No.2 in the world – wedged between Jannik Sinner and Alcaraz – advancing to the second week without too much fuss must be a priority, and Zverev duly started with a 6-4 6-4 6-4 win against Lucas Pouille on Sunday night at Rod Laver Arena.
At two hours, 21 minutes, it marked his quickest passage to round two in Melbourne since 2019. On every other occasion, he either needed at least two hours, 38 minutes or at least four sets.
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Not too long ago, a Zverev duel with Pouille might have happened in later rounds.
Pouille was once ranked No.10 in the world, reached the semifinals at Melbourne Park in 2019, and is one of just 10 men to down Rafael Nadal in a fifth set at a Grand Slam.
But dealing with depression – the Frenchman has spoken openly about his struggles – his ranking dropped to outside the top 600.
Injuries also played a part, especially with his elbow.
A wrist complaint late in 2024 meant he couldn’t fully celebrate returning to the top 100 for the first time in three years, and Pouille skipped Auckland this month due to abdominal discomfort.
The wrist appeared to bother the current world No.103 against Zverev, although the native of northern France always faced an uphill battle. The last time he defeated a top-five foe was that outing against Nadal in New York in 2016.
Pouille was the flashier of the two on Sunday, in keeping with their respective games.
He delighted the crowd by authoring two drop shots, then ripping a passing shot in one rally alone in the first.
On one set point he saved in the first, Pouille crouched down to strike a cross-court backhand volley that drew applause from Zverev. Zverev’s older brother Mischa – who was a net rusher himself – smiled from the coaching box, now at court level at Rod Laver Arena.
Pouille saving so many break points – at one stretch 13 of 15 – extended the outing.
Zverev’s winning volley accounted for Pouille’s first break point chance at 0-1 in the third.
Some magic from Zverev helped him earn the final break at 3-3 in the third – offering up a lob and swivelled backhand winner on successive points.
“He’s someone that when healthy, he’s somebody definitely not at the ranking that he is,” said Zverev in his on-court interview. “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.”
Zverev thumped 18 aces and won nearly 80 per cent of his first-serve points.
Next, he hopes to keep things going against Spain’s Pedro Martinez in round two.