11:04
Zverev – Millman 3: 1
At exactly the right moment, Zverev unpacks his first ace and gets the ball. Another smashing first serve, Millman fails to return this time and the German confirms the break this time.
11:03
Zverev – Millman 2: 1
In his second service game, Zverev starts perfectly with a service winner and an unattainable backhand cross, but does not finish it confidently this time either. Millman still often manages to defuse the German’s serve and annoy him with long returns. 30:30.
11:00 a.m
Zverev – Millman 2: 1
Sascha Zverev has made a very good impression so far. The Olympic champion is extremely focused, plays patiently, but still puts constant pressure on. Millman has little to counter that and can’t hold his serve even on the second try. Zverev also uses his second break chance, as the Australian gets stuck on the edge of the net with his backhand from the half field.
10:58
Zverev – Millman 1: 1
The sympathies of the viewers are of course clearly distributed. Every point of the Australian is enthusiastically applauded in Melbourne. After 15: 0, however, Millman also came under pressure again in his service, because he first missed a forehand and then Zverev played it out according to all the rules of the art. 15:30!
10:55
Zverev – Millman 1: 1
Millman returns strongly in this first game and keeps playing the ball at speed in front of Zverev’s feet. The German is not moving well enough, makes two avoidable mistakes and immediately gives the break back.
10:53
Zverev 1-0 Millman
John Millman has apparently decided to take Zverev’s serve as early as possible and is also close to the baseline on the first service. Once that brings success and he blocks the return strongly to 0:15, but then he is too late and puts the ball out of bounds.
10:52
Zverev 1-0 Millman
The dream start is perfect! Zverev lands his first winner with a cracking forehand longline and clears two breakballs. The next longer rally follows, which the German ultimately decides in his favor thanks to a smooth backhand longline and thus immediately brings in the break.
10:50
Zverev 0-0 Millman
It becomes clear early on what Sascha Zverev has to be prepared for here in the duel with the Australian, who is strong in fighting and running. In the third rally, the two deliver a rally over 28 shots, which the Hamburg player can decide for himself. 15:30!
10:49
Zverev 0-0 Millman
The final match of the day in the Rod Laver Arena is on! And it’s off to a spectacular start! Zverev’s first return is deflected off the edge of the net, Millman then moves to the net and is caught by a backhand lob from the German. 0:15!
10:41
Dinner is served
The two protagonists have just entered Melbourne’s Center Court and started hitting the ball. Alexander Zverev had luck on his side when he tossed the coin and opted for a setback. John Millman will open this second round duel in a few minutes!
10:30 a.m
Two close duels
The two have already played each other twice on the tour and both games went to the German. However, the duels were hard fought. At the French Open 2019, Zverev was able to defeat his opponent in five sets, in 2020 at the indoor tournament in Cologne in the decisive third set. Today the two play against each other for the first time on an outdoor hard court.
10:27
Millman wins another Major match
John Millman recently had little to celebrate at the Grand Slams. In 2021, the Aussie was eliminated in round one in all three of his Major appearances. The 32-year-old actually knows how things work on the big stage. In 2018, after a sensational win over Roger Federer, Millman advanced to the quarterfinals of the US Open, celebrating his best Grand Slam result. This time he at least mastered the opening hurdle again and defeated the Spanish veteran Feliciano Lopez in four sets.
10:25
Zverev made a solid start
Alexander Zverev mastered the opening hurdle in Melbourne relatively confidently. The third in the world rankings had to go into the tie-break twice against compatriot Daniel Altmaier, but ultimately won in three sets. Zverev was satisfied at the start, but is hoping for an increase in performance today. “I can’t play perfectly in the first round but I need to play better and I hope I can improve my performance against Millman,” said the 24-year-old ahead of the game.
10:22
Warm welcome
Hello and welcome back to the Australian Open in Melbourne! Germany’s number one Alexander Zverev will face Australian local hero John Millman in the second round. In a good quarter of an hour it starts in the Rod Laver Arena!
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