Zverev’s strong start boosts Australian Open title hopes

Alexander Zverev has begun his Australian Open campaign in clinical fashion, beating Frenchman Lucas Pouille in straight sets to advance to the second round on Sunday night in Melbourne.

The German, who is seeded second at the year’s first Grand Slam, was efficient in his first outing, breaking serve once each set for a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory in two hours, 21 minutes.

Tennis betting sites have shortened his odds of winning a maiden major title this month as a result, shifting the 27-year-old from $11 pre-tournament to $8 after his first-round victory.

It was Zverev’s serve that again propelled him to victory against Pouille as he served 18 aces, landing his first serve 73% of the time and winning 78% of points behind it.

He paired this with a clean 40 winners to 29 unforced errors, signalling his title credentials early in the tournament.

“He’s someone that when healthy, he’s somebody definitely not at the ranking that he is,” Zverev said of Pouille in after the match.

“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Zverev himself looked fit and healthy on Rod Laver Arena, having withdrawn from the United Cup ahead of the tournament with a bicep strain.

In other day-one action, No.6 seed Casper Ruud survived a tough outing against Spain’s Jaume Munar.

The pair battled it out for three hours and 21 minutes, with Ruud winning his 10th fifth set, 6-3, 1-6, 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 to book his spot in the second round.

Their match paled in comparison to veteran Kei Nishikori and Thiago Monteiro’s, however, who fought for four hours and six minutes on Sunday.

Nishikori – a former world No.4 – came back from two sets to love down to win 4-6, 6-7(4), 7-5, 6-2, 6-3, saving two match points along the way.

Monday at Melbourne Park will have several of the event’s title favourites in action, with Jannik Sinner ($2.20), Carlos Alcaraz ($4.50) and Novak Djokovic ($6) all playing.

The three lead outright betting across the top tennis bookmakers and will look to book their spots in the second round.

Australian star Nick Kyrgios also starts his campaign, taking on Britain’s Jacob Fearnley where he is a $1.73 favourite to win at Marantelli Bet.

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