Australian Open 2022: Alexander Zverev doesn’t give John Millman a chance in the second round

Only the serve was interrupted from time to time with a hamburger (six double faults), otherwise Zverev gave the world number 89 hardly a chance with his varied game. With three break opportunities, Millman only managed to take the German’s serve once.

On the other hand, Zverev used six of the nine rest opportunities he got. Only the error rate of nearly 40 non-forced errors was still too high for a third in the rankings.

“It was a clear increase compared to the first round against Altmaier,” he said. EurosportExpert Boris Becker: “He played better, if not perfect.” He identified the six-time Grand Slam winner: “I loved the basic duels, the first serve was very strong – let’s not talk about the second.”

Australian Open: Zverev gives the party crashing

Zverev himself saw it similarly. He said in an interview with Eurosport: “I made a lot of minor mistakes, and didn’t serve well. But other than that it was just fine.”

To the crowd at Rod Laver Arena, Zverev acted somewhat like a party breaker. Instead of ‘Millmania’ there wasn’t much to cheer Australian fans.

“I was prepared for the fact that everyone here will hate me after the match and there will be a lot of boos,” Zverev said with a laugh. “The atmosphere was great and I hope he can be louder in the next matches.”

Alexander Zverev clean against the local champions

Against Millman, the goal was not to allow the public to become a factor in the first place.

Zverev started the first set with a similar determination, but immediately sensed there would be a lot of work against the strong and motivated Australian, who was looking for long wins. Zverev took an early break 2-1 and secured the pass after 50 minutes.

The second group was also in dispute. Zverev sometimes struggled with his second serve, but in the end he did not endanger himself and started the third set again with a break. He didn’t let the advantage take away, and with nine wins he remains flawless against the pros who are allowed to compete in front of a home crowd at a Grand Slam.

Zverev raises the German flag in Melbourne

“I asked Sasha how I would beat him to get him out of the way,” said Hanfmann. “But it didn’t work out, and Sasha had to do it himself.” Zverev may meet Nadal in the quarter-finals.

On Thursday, Philipp Kohlschreiber (Augsburg) will play his second round match against Roberto Bautista Agut (Spain/#15) at around 5am GST (Live on Eurosport).

Zverev has a chance at number one in the world

In Melbourne, Zverev wants to win his first Grand Slam title – and finally become the first German to win a major since Boris Becker in 1996.

After world number one Novak Djokovic was sent off, Olympic and ATP Finals champion next to US Open champion Daniil Medvedev (Russia/No. 2) and 20-time Grand Slam winner Nadal in Melbourne – Zverev and Medvedev have a chance to take over the world rankings by win the championship.

In the third round on Friday, Zverev meets qualifier Radu Albot (Moldova), who won 6:4, 7:6 (7:4), 6:4 against Australian wildcard holder Aleksandar Vukic.

Zverev is now against Albot

The German said: “We are in major tournaments – there are no easy matches anymore. He is someone who does not make many mistakes. The match will be more difficult. I am looking forward to it. – See sometimes how it goes.”

Becker’s direction is clear: “He has to keep his feet on the ground and keep improving from game to game.”

(with SID)

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