Zverev Faces Martinez in Australian Open Clash Amid Injury Concerns

MELBOURNE, Australia — Alexander Zverev and Pablo Martinez are set to clash in the Australian Open‘s second round on January 15, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. CEST, with Zverev entering as the heavy favorite. Martinez, however, is expected to put up a strong fight despite recent injury concerns.

Martinez, a Spaniard known for his clay-court prowess, retired from his first-round match against Darderi due to a chest injury after winning the first set 6-3. This setback follows a disappointing loss to Monfils in Auckland last week. Martinez has struggled in recent months, losing three of his last five matches. Last year, he exited the Australian Open in the first qualifying round.

Zverev, on the other hand, has been in solid form, winning four of his last five matches. The German star opened his Melbourne campaign with a straight-sets victory over Pouille, showcasing his resilience under pressure. Zverev reached the semifinals in Melbourne last year, narrowly losing to Medvedev after leading 2-0. He also made the semifinals in 2020, falling to Thiem in a tight four-set match.

Bookmakers favor Zverev heavily, but Martinez’s tenacity could make the match closer than expected. “Martinez always puts up a big fight,” said a tennis analyst. “We believe he will keep this match tighter than the odds suggest.”

In another second-round matchup, Jack Draper faces Thanasi Kokkinakis at 9:00 a.m. CEST. Draper, who overcame a hip injury earlier this season, defeated Navone in a grueling five-set opener. Kokkinakis, buoyed by home support, rallied to beat Safiullin in four sets after dropping the first set. The bookies favor Draper, but Kokkinakis’s recent form and crowd advantage could make this a tightly contested match.

Meanwhile, Aleksandar Vukic and Sebastian Korda will meet in the 1/32-finals at 4:00 a.m. CEST. Vukic has struggled recently, losing three of his last five matches, while Korda has shown consistent form. Their head-to-head record stands at 2-1 in favor of Korda.

As the Australian Open progresses, fans can expect more thrilling matches and potential upsets in the coming days.