Alexander Zverev has emerged as the leader of tennis' new generation of men's players (Reuters Photo) HIGHLIGHTS Alexander Zverev overpowered Aljaz Bedene 6-4 6-1 6-4 Kei Nishikori qualified after Kamil Majchrzak retired Nishikori was trailing Majchrzak 3-6 6-7(6) 6-0 6-2 3-0 Germany's Alexander Zverev overpowered Aljaz Bedene to win their first round match at the Australian Open 6-4 6-1 6-4 as the 21-year-old firms as a title contender.
The big-hitting fourth seed went down a break midway through the first set, which seemed to prod him into action. He won the next eight games, and Bedene never recovered.
Zverev will play the winner of an all-French first round match between Jeremy Chardy and Ugo Humbert.
Zverev, known as Sascha, has emerged as the leader of tennis' new generation of men's players, a reputation confirmed late last year by his maiden ATP Finals triumph where he beat Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in consecutive days.
"I'm really happy to be back."
We're really happy you are back too @keinishikori #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/ZOrUm89CLm
#AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 15, 2019 Kei Nishikori rallied from two sets down and won 10 consecutive games before Kamil Majchrzak retired with the score at 3-6 6-7(6) 6-0 6-2 3-0 at Margaret Court Arena.
Nishikori had a chance to win the second set, up 30-0 on the Polish player's serve at 5-4. But he let Majchrzak back into the game and when the set went to a tiebreaker, two unforced errors by Nishikori handed his opponent the set.
Those mistakes riled Nishikori between the second and third sets, obviously upset with himself as he placed ice cubes in a plastic bag on the back of his neck.
He came out firing to start the third set and his 10-game streak and 15 of the last 17 before Majchrzak had enough and stopped the match
(With inputs from Agencies)
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