World number 46 Lorenzo Sonego beat world number 38 Dan Evans 4-6 7-6 (10-8) 6-2 7-6 (7-4) setting up a second round match at the Australian Open against Carlos Alcaraz. Sonego made it six out of six Italian players through to the second round.
Evans broke serve in the third game of the first set with an inside-out forehand. Sonego saved three set points in the ninth game but Evans served out the first set with a hold at 30. Both players went on serve en route to the tie-break with no break points. Evans raced out to a 4-0 lead with two mini-breaks in the the tie-break. Sonego saved three set points at 7-8 and won the final three points to win the tie-break 10-8. Sonego broke twice in the first and fifth games to win the third set 6-2. Evans saved seven break points in the ninth game of the fourth set. Both players went on serve en route to the tie-break. Sonego earned three mini-breaks to race out to a 5-0 lead, but Evans won pulled back two mini-breaks for 4-5 but Sonego sealed the win on his first match point. Sonego hit 23 aces and won 82% of his first service points.
Sonego beat Alcaraz in their only previous head-to-head match in Cincinnati in 2021.
“I am happy that I won the match and I reached the second round. I played a good match against Evans. He is a fighter and I knew that it would be difficult to play against him. The tie-break of the second set was decisive. I want to enjoy the match against Alcaraz. He was a very young player when I beat him in Cincinnati. He is now a different player. I want to do my best because every match is an opportunity to improve my tennis. I will play my first match on Central Court and I want to enjoy myself”, said Sonego.
Alexander Zverev rallied from one set down to beat his compatriot Dominik Koepfer 4-6 6-3 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 in the first round of the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Zverev helped Germany win the second edition of the United Cup. He improved his win-loss record to 5-1 this season.
Zverev set up a second round match against Slovakian player Lukas Klein, who beat Soonwoo Kwon 7-6 (7-0) 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-3.
Koepfer did not face a single break point and converted his third break point of the opening set to win the first set 6-4. Zverev broke in the sixth game and saved three break points in the ninth game to win the second set 6-3.
Zverev had to save two set points in the third set, as both players held on their service games en route to the tie-break. Zverev earned two mini-breaks to win the tie-break 7-3. Zverev converted his third break point in the second game and held his next service game to open up a 5-2 lead. Koepfer saved a match point as he was serving to stay in the match. Zverev served out on his second match point in the ninth game.
“In the beginning I wasn’t playing my best. I think I had a great tournament at the United Cup in Sydney, but then it is obviously different coming here to Melbourne and playing at a Grand Slam. Especially in the first few rounds it is never easy, but you have to focus on yourself, on your shots and on finding on your rhythm somehow, and I did. When the draw comes out and you see we are playing against a German player, you always wish well for your countrymen. You are playing one of your own, and he is playing extremely well. He just won a tournament in Canberra and he has been recovering from injury as well. Credit to him because he played fantastic”, said Zverev.
