Australian Open—Melbourne, Australia
Zverev, Sabalenka and Zheng Reach Second Round of 2025 Australian Open
No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev took the first step in capturing his maiden Grand Slam title on Sunday in Melbourne, Australia, defeating Lucas Pouille 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in first-round action.
Needing two hour and 21 minutes to advance, Zverev slammed 18 aces, won 78 percent of his first serve points and broke his French opponent on three occasions.
The German will next face Pedro Martinez, who advanced when Luciano Darderi retired trailing 6-3, 4-1.
No. 20 seed Arthur Fils was made to work in the first round, defeating Otto Virtanen of Finland 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-4, 6-4.
Fils hit 15 aces, won 81 percent of his first serve points and broke his opponent on three occasions.
Other men’s winners on the day included No. 6 seed Casper Ruud, No. 14 seed Ugo Humbert, No. 24 seed Jiri Lehecka, No. 26 seed Tomas Machac, Reilly Opelka and former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori advancing in five sets over Thiago Monteiro.
Nishikori recently made the finals of the ATP Tour Hong Kong event, losing to Alexandre Muller.
Sabalenka, Zheng and Andreeva Prevail
On the women’s side No. 14 seed Mirra Andreeva started off her campaign in impressive fashion, defeating Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 6-3.
The Russian poured in one ace, won 73 percent of her first serve points and broke serve on six occasions.
The 17-year-old will next face Magda Linette or Moyuka Uchijima for a place in the third round.
Other winners on the day included last year’s winner and finalist No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka and No. 5 seed Qinwen Zheng.
Sabalenka dismissed former US Open winner Sloane Stephens 6-3, 6-2 on the strength of two aces and 69 percent of her first serve points won, and Zheng had to overcome the challenge of Anca Todoni, who pushed the Chinese star to nearly two hours of play.
Zheng won the contest in the end, 7-6(3), 6-1.
Sabalenka will next face Jessica Bouzas Maneiro and Zheng will take on either Laura Siegemund or Hailey Baptiste.
Bouzas Maneiro ousted Sonay Kartal from Great Britain 6-1, 7-6(5).
Other women’s winners included No. 11 seed Paula Badosa, No. 18 seed Donna Vekic, No. 30 seed Leylah Fernandez, and recent Auckland winner Clara Tauson. Tauson upset No. 29 seed Linda Noskova. 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.
Monday’s action in Melbourne will include defending champion and No. 1 seed Jannik Sinner, No. 3 seed Coco Gauff, No. 7 seed Novak Djokovic, two-time former winner Naomi Osaka and No. 3 seed Carlos Alcaraz all in action.
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