Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open: Absurd scene after the match

The second round of the Australian Open was coming up, Alexander Zverev prevailed against the Australian John Millman. After the game, the German caused a laugh.

• Alexander Zverev (GER, 3rd) – John Millman (AUS) 6: 4, 6: 4, 6: 0
• Olympic champion Alexander Zverev met a local hero in the second round of the Australian Open
• Zverev didn’t let anything burn against Millman and stayed relaxed even after the game (see update from January 19, 12:46 p.m.)

Update from January 20, 10:18 am: After his clear triumph against John Millman, Alexander Zverev is now in the third round of the Australian Open. The German meets the Romanian Radu Albot on Friday morning, 6 a.m. (CET). We are in the live ticker.

Update from January 19, 12:56 p.m.: Now Zverev is also there Eurosport ready for the interview: “I’m not completely satisfied,” reveals the third in the world rankings: “I made too many mistakes out of the rally.” He was then asked whether he was mentally in his best condition ever. “It’s always a question! We’re in the middle of the Grand Slam,” Zverev doesn’t really want to answer: “I hope I can give you an answer next Sunday.”

Zverev at Australian Open: crazy scenes after the match – “Now everyone hates me”

Update from January 19, 12:46 p.m.: Alexander Zverev is available for an interview on the court immediately after the game. “It’s a great atmosphere,” said the 24-year-old: “But I know that everyone will hate me now after the match.” Then there’s a short boo. “I’m just kidding,” says Zverev with a mischievous smile, then the fans clap. “I like the loud, I like the emotions, that’s part of it. Hopefully we can get back to normal soon.”

He is then asked why he no longer wears sleeveless jerseys. Zverev then rolled up his sleeves and said with a wink: “I heard in the dressing room that my arms are so muscular that my shirt will soon burst.” Zverev has to laugh himself and the spectators also burst out laughing. Casual appearance from Germany’s number 1.

Australian Open now in the live ticker: Zverev – Millman 3rd set

Zverev – Millman 6:0 – GAME! SET! MATCH, ZVEREV!

Zverev – Millman 5:0 – Now it goes there for the valiantly fighting Millman. Zverev is acting at an incredible level here!

Zverev – Millman 4:0 – Three aces! 40:0! 4:0! Zverev is marching in seven-league boots towards winning the match…

Zverev – Millman 3:0 – wow! That’s just strong! Zverev manages the next break with a world-class longline ball – and Millman simply has no chance. Is it really fast now?

Zverev – Millman 2:0 – It works at Zverev! He gets his serve through relatively quickly and makes it 2-0 early on. Strong start!

Zverev – Millman 1:0 – Yes, so the 3rd set can start! Zverev gets the break right at the beginning and takes a 1-0 lead. That could bring some calm back into his game.

Australian Open now in the live ticker: Zverev – Millman, 2nd set

Zverev – Millman 6:4 – Yes! And the second set also goes to Zverev because the first serve is really great. Now it’s in sentences and the German can now make it clear in the third round that he’s going into the third round. But there’s still a long way to go until then!

Zverev – Millman 5:4 – Greeting to Zverev: “Shut it up yourself!” Millman gets through his game without losing a point, but now Zverev serves again to win the set. So fingers crossed!

Zverev – Millman 5:3 – Briefly trembled, but not staggered! Zverev makes the sixth double mistake, but the German takes the game after the debut and makes it 5: 3!

Zverev – Millman 4:3 – The Australian doesn’t give up, but why should he?! Millman goes through his game smoothly, but is still a break behind.

Australian Open now in the live ticker: Zverev world class

Zverev – Millman 4:2 – Zverev starts with a double fault, Millman is on fire – and suddenly it gets hairy. Two breakballs at 15:40! But then the German goes into himself, serves four times outstandingly, fends off the break and gets the game! world class!

Zverev – Millman 3:2 – Wow, great game by Johnny Millman! Zverev doesn’t get a point – and the arena is back. Important phase now in the second set!

Zverev – Millman 3:1 – Yes sir! Zverev has opponents AND audience under control, which is of course always good when you meet an Aussie at the Australian Open. But now: stay tuned, Sascha!

Zverev – Millman 2:1 – Yes! Early break for Zverev, who is now 2-1 in the lead. Since his serve has come so far, it should have been an important game in the second set. But that’s still reading coffee grounds, let’s wait and see.

Zverev – Millman 1:1 – Zverev doesn’t let anything burn here either and gets his serve through without any major problems. The fans always provide amusement with chants after the rallies – it’s fun!

Zverev – Millman 0:1 – At the start of the second set, the local hero serves through – and immediately the arena is back.

Australian Open now in the live ticker: Zverev – Millman, 1st set

Zverev – Millman 6:4 – That is the thing! Zverev grabs the first set 6: 4. But caution is advised, because Millman has the hall on his side – and delivers well here. It won’t be a walk for the world number 3 in the Rod Laver Arena, that’s for sure!

Zverev – Millman 5:4 – The Aussie stays tuned and doesn’t give anything away here. In the end, Millman wins the game thanks to a spectacular backhand longline. But now Zverev serves to win the set!

Zverev – Millman 5:3 – When Zverev serves, it’s always faster. Even if the second one isn’t as good as usual. But of course that’s whining at a high level – 5:3 for the German!

Australian Open now in the live ticker: Zverev against Millman! Match briefly interrupted

Zverev – Millman 4:3 – Zverev interrupts the game because there is a microphone on somewhere on the court and therefore an annoying buzz can be heard. In the end, Millman takes the points after the two of them have again delivered almost endless rallies. Played for over half an hour – and only 4:3. Might be a long number here.

Zverev – Millman 4:2 – The serve is coming! Zverev gets through his game because he can handle Millman nicely. Brother Mischa is also looking very satisfied from the stands.

Zverev – Millman 3:2 – Now Millman brings through his first service game. But not because he plays outstandingly, but because Zverev makes too many simple mistakes. When the score was 30:30, the third in the world rankings unnecessarily hit his backhand in the net. Bitter!

Zverev – Millman 3:1 – Yes! Zverev brings his serve through. The first step has been taken so that the German can get some air. Keep it up!

Zverev – Millman 2:1 – Is that intense! Various net scooters and really hard work, but in the end Zverev gets the break again! Spectacular match in the first few minutes.

Zverev – Millman 1:1 – Ai, that’s bitter, of course. Directly the re-break from Millman. Zverev’s serve doesn’t come, with the result that the Australian gets his first point here. Could actually become a cauldron here…

Zverev – Millman 1:0 – wow! Strong start from Zverev, who gets a break in the first game. The German seems alert and very, very focused. It can go on like this.

Zverev – Millman 0:0 – Serve at Rod Laver Arena. Millman serves to kick off, we’re hot!

Australian Open now in the live ticker: Zverev challenged against Millman

Update from January 19, 10:31 am: Here we go! Alex Zverev is currently still in the dressing room and is stretching, but the protagonists should appear on the court soon. It will be interesting to see what comes from local hero Millman today, because he’s not really under any pressure. With the audience behind him, he can actually play freely.

“I played against him a few times,” said Zverev, who announced after his first round match: “I hope I play better. I have to improve.”

Update from January 19, 10:20 a.m.: Game, set and match! At least for Osaka, who now beats Brengle in two sets (6:0, 6:4) and moves into the next round. The court is free, so Zverev will come soon. We’re looking forward to it.

Update from January 19, 10:08 am: In the Brengle match against Osaka we are currently in the second set and 3: 3 – we are not assuming that Zverev will be here on the court in a good five minutes.

Update from January 19, 09:56: Zverev’s game should actually start at 10.15 a.m. in the Rod Laver Arena. Currently there are still Madison Brengle from the USA and Naomi Osaka from Japan on the court. Only then does the German number 1 come into play. We are excited to see if it starts on time.

Video: Good start! Alexander Zverev wins German duel at Australian Open

First report from January 19: Munich/Melbourne – As is so often the case, the entire German burden is on Alexander Zverev in the second round of a Grand Slam tournament. The Olympic champion is still holding up the flags of the Federal Republic at the Australian Open. Even if there was already a curious moment about him.

Because Angelique Kerber, Yannik Hanfmann, Dominik Koepfer and Oscar Otte are all out. After all, the doubles Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies were able to record a successful Grand Slam return.

Australian Open now in the live ticker: Mega pressure for Zverev

But now all eyes are on Zverev. One day after Kerber left, the hopeful at the Australian Open is aiming for the third round. In the second game of the night session in the Rod Laver Arena, the third in the world rankings meets the Australian John Millman on Wednesday.

Against the world number 89. Zverev has won both previous comparisons, but at the French Open in Paris 2019 he needed five sets. With the heat in Melbourne and the already exhausting start, a few fewer sentences for Zverev would not be wrong. (smk/sid)