Tennis: Australian Open: Zverev in slow motion, Siegemund with a coup

After his safe second-round victory in the quick pass, Alexander Zverev sent a small apology to the Melbourne audience. He usually provides entertainment in long matches, said the German tennis star with a smile, “but I’m getting older, so I have to shorten things a bit.”

The world number two won the Australian Open in just 1:54 hours against the overwhelmed Spaniard Pedro Martinez 6:1, 6:4, 6:1 and was able to save some energy again for his big title dream.

Unlike Zverev, who routinely quickly ticked off his eighth third-round entry in Melbourne, Laura Siegemund had given free rein to her emotions ten hours earlier after the coup against the Paris Olympic champion. The 36-year-old fell backwards to the ground, stretched out her arms and flashed a blissful smile.

Rittner: “Big sensation” through Siegemund

The world number 97. defeated number 5 seed Zheng Qinwen 7:6 (7:3), 6:3 and caused the biggest surprise of the tournament so far. Former national coach Barbara Rittner even spoke to Eurosport about a “big sensation”. Siegemund himself saw it a little differently.

“I played incredibly today, I can’t take that out of my pocket every day,” said the Swabian after the unexpected but fully deserved coup: “But on the other hand, that’s not luck either. There’s also the will there and the belief behind it.” For her it was “one of the best victories of my career.” The Swabian has been placing greater focus on the doubles competitions for a long time.

Siegemund in Kerber’s footsteps

According to data service provider Opta, Siegemund is the first German tennis player since Angelique Kerber in 2016 to defeat a top-five player at the Australian Open. In the third round she will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova from Russia on Friday.

Also on Friday, Zverev, who has not lost a set, will play against Jacob Fearnley from Great Britain for a place in the round of 16. In its current form, the Hamburger is the clear favorite.

Well rested and playing well

Zverev seemed to have benefited from the two days off after his convincing opening win against Frenchman Lucas Pouille. The Hamburger looked in top shape and highly concentrated right from the start. He set a high pace against the clay court specialist from Spain, who was visibly overwhelmed.

Zverev impressed with his usual powerful serves and precise cross balls, and he also occasionally sprinkled soulful stops into his game. Even in tight situations, for example when Zverev fended off four break chances in the third service game of the first set, the German did not lose his rhythm.

“He has now fully arrived in the tournament. I can’t see any weakness now – on the contrary, everything looks very good,” said Eurosport Boris Becker.

Two other Germans are thrown out

For Tatjana Maria and Jule Niemeier, however, the second round was the final stop. Maria (37) had to admit defeat to the Dane Clara Tauson 2:6, 2:6. Niemeier (25) had almost no chance in the 3:6, 0:6 win against Ukrainian Marta Kostjuk.