Zverev drops set on way to Aussie Open second round

MELBOURNE — World No 3 Alexander Zverev dropped a set before reaching the Australian Open second round on Sunday in a shaky start to his bid to make another final at the season-opening Grand Slam.

The German, who lost in three sets to Jannik Sinner in the 2025 tournament decider, ground past 41st-ranked Canadian Gabriel Diallo 6-7(1), 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena.

It put him into round two at Melbourne Park for a 10th straight year as he looks to disrupt the domination of Sinner and world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz, who have shared the last eight major titles.

But he had to work hard to tame the lanky 24-year-old, who showed his potential with a maiden ATP title last year.

"Definitely wasn't happy when I saw the draw," he said.

"He's very talented and unbelievably aggressive. It was hard to find my rhythm."

Zverev was broken early and slumped 4-1 behind in the opening set, struggling with the Canadian's booming serve.

Diallo went 40-0 up on his own serve with a chance to take a 5-2 lead, but the German dug deep to haul himself back to 4-4.

He saved a set point at 4-5 and it went to a tiebreak, where it was all Diallo.

Zverev regrouped at the changeover and came out firing, racing 4-0 clear with a double break to power through set two in 31 minutes and dial up the pressure.

Zverev scored a crucial break in the seventh game of third set when Diallo fluffed a forehand from the baseline and took control as his opponent's error count surged.

Another break on Diallo's first service game in set four set Zverev on his way to sealing the match.

The 28-year-old Zverev finished the 2025 season with only one title, in Munich, having been beset by injuries.

It was enough to end as No 3 in the world behind Alcaraz and Sinner, but he disappointed at the other three Grand Slams with a major title still elusive.

Should he finally triumph in Melbourne on his 40th Slam appearance, Zverev will go second on the Open era list for most attempts before winning a Grand Slam title.

Goran Ivanisevic holds the record, winning Wimbledon in 2001 on his 48th attempt.

Making mom proud

Briton Arthur Fery did his tennis-mad mom proud Sunday after she jetted over from Europe when he came through qualifying to witness him upset 20th seed Flavio Cobolli.

The 23-year-old, ranked 185 and in his main draw debut at Melbourne Park, blasted past the Italian 7-6 (1), 6-4, 6-1 on John Cain Arena.

"Very satisfying. I was already happy to qualify here for my first time, and now obviously coming through qualifiers and winning a round, I'm proud of it," he said.

Fery's only other Grand Slam second-round appearance came at Wimbledon last year, where he also beat a 20th seed in the first round — Australian Alexei Popyrin.

When he successfully negotiated qualifying in Melbourne his mom Olivia, who played in the 1991 Roland Garros women's doubles, was quick to jump on a plane to Australia and support him.

"When I won that last round (of qualifying), she asked me if she could come," he said.

"I was, 'of course, it would be nice to have you here'. It's obviously a long way, but at least I made it worth it. She can see at least two matches, hopefully more."

Asked if she had given him any tips, given her own professional tennis career, he replied: "When I was younger. Now, not so much.

"She leaves me with my coaches to talk about tennis. But like everyone's mom and dad I guess they give you life advice."

Also, No 18 seed Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina beat Zhang Zhi-zhen of China 6-3, 7-6 (0), 6-3, and No 32 seed Corentin Moutet of France defeated Tristan Schoolkate of Australia 6-4, 7-6 (1), 6-3.

Ukraine's 26th seed Dayana Yastremska was another early surprise casualty, losing 6-4, 7-5 to Romania's Elena-Gabriela Ruse.

In other women's play, No 7 seed Jasmine Paolini got the dominant start she wanted, defeating Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus 6-1, 6-2 in just over an hour at the Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.

Paolini took the first set in just 27 minutes on the main show court at Melbourne Park, giving the crowd what they wanted as the first Grand Slam of the season got underway.

Also, No 12 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine defeated Cristina Bucsa of Spain 6-4, 6-1, and Maria Sakkari of Greece won over Leolia Jeanjean from France 6-4, 6-2.

Agencies