Alexander Zverev recovers from early scare to launch Australian Open bid

The third seed, runner-up at last year's tournament, dropped the opening set in a tiebreak as Diallo announced himself on the Rod Laver Arena stage with fearless, aggressive tennis. But once Zverev found his range, the contest swung decisively, the German reeling off the next three sets to complete a 6-7, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 victory and extend his run of consecutive second-round appearances in Melbourne to ten.

Diallo, ranked 41st in the world, unsettled Zverev early with a booming serve and a willingness to step inside the baseline. He broke early, surged into a 4-1 lead and then dominated the tiebreak, leaving the favourite visibly frustrated. Yet that proved the high point of the Canadian's night.

Zverev regrouped swiftly, tightening up his service games and increasing his aggression from the back of the court. Two early breaks in the second set flipped the momentum completely, and from there the German began to impose his physicality and consistency as Diallo's error count crept up.

A crucial break midway through the third set gave Zverev full control, and another early strike in the fourth effectively ended the contest. The German closed out the match with authority, leaning on his serve and experience to deny any late drama.

READ MORE: Carlos Alcaraz eases past home favourite Adam Walton into Australian Open second-round