Australian Open: Zverev’s rocky road – Kerber and Görges ready for anything

It couldn’t have been worse for Alexander Zverev in the draw for the Australian Open. His brother Mischa and Novak Djokovic could get in his way even before the first Grand Slam quarter-finals of his career.

Alexander Zverev should not be able to look at the tableau in Melbourne. After all, what Germany’s best tennis pro sees there will probably worry him even before his first appearance at the Australian Open. Steiniger could hardly have drawn lots for Zverev’s way into the first Grand Slam quarter-finals of his career.

In the third round there is a possible brother duel with Mischa Zverev, to which the ten years younger Sascha is still looking up sporty. In the round of 16, the fourth in the world rankings could face Novak Djokovic, the Serbian was injured last, but after a six-month break at his favourite Grand Slam, he is eager to make a successful comeback.

Simpler tasks in the first rounds caught Angelique Kerber and Julia Görges, for the prominent senior consultants in the German Tennis Association (DTB) both count among the favourites for the title.”I think Angie Kerber can surprise us positively”, said Boris Becker before the start on Monday, Barbara Rittner praised Görges after their tournament victory in Auckland.

While Kerber was informed about the German duel with Anna-Lena Friedsam after her seventh win in the seventh match of the year in Sydney, Görges was already preparing for the match against 19-year-old Sofia Kenin from the USA in Melbourne,”The draw is difficult for many, Angie is fine with her. But an unseeded Sharapova in the third round is of course dangerous,”said Rittner.

The start against Thomas Fabbiano from Italy should not be too much of a problem for Zverev either, but the high hurdles come quickly, faster than the native of Hamburg would have liked “Afterwards the road is relatively stony. He has to be there from the beginning, there are a few tricky tasks involved. The draw is not without it,”said Davis Cup captain Michael Kohlmann.

Zverev makes no secret of the fact that this year’s breakthrough to the world’s top is to be followed by successes for the majors – even though he prefers to avoid battle announcements:”I have goals in mind and my team knows about them,”said the 20-year-old, adding in many words:”It’s not about the world rankings. We all work hard to win a Grand Slam tournament at some point.”

If you know Zverev, you know his impatience.”Someday” means: preferably already in Melbourne. However, he urgently needs to improve compared to the season opener at the Hopman Cup in Perth. The three defeats in four singles at the Mixed Tournament annoyed Zverev the most. He also witnessed first-hand the excellent form in which the defending champion and favourite was already in.

Roger Federer has not only been deeply relaxed since his victory over Zverev in Perth. On Thursday evening, he presented the trophy at the Margaret Court Arena, which he won for the fifth time last year and affectionately christened Norman. Contrary to Zverev, he can also take a look at the tableau, until the possible quarter-finals against Juan Martin del Potro or David Goffin the Swiss should play himself in title form.