MATCH REPORT | 2024 Australian Open: Alexander ZVEREV's grit prevails in five-set showdown with Lukas KLEIN

Alexander Zverev narrowly avoided a disappointment and defeated qualifier Lukas Klein in a hard-fought 5-set battle, which ended 7-5, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(7) in the second round of the 2024 Australian Open. Zverev had overcome his compatriot Dominik Koepfer in the first round with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(3), 6-3.

Lukas Klein (No. 163) reached his first Grand Slam main draw, coming through the qualifying rounds and then securing a victory over Sonwoo Kwon with a score of 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-3. The 22-year-old Slovak had previously achieved a surprising victory over world No. 26 Sebastian Baez at the Brisbane International but fell in three sets to Matteo Arnaldi.

From the outset, Klein positioned himself as a formidable opponent, displaying confidence in his serve and taking risks on the return. However, the Slovak showed some vulnerability when he faced the first break point of the match in the ninth game, which he managed to save, maintaining the equality.

Zverev found a new opportunity in his opponent's next service game, and this time he capitalized on it to take the lead. With his impeccable serve, he closed the set 7-5, demonstrating his favoritism as the 6th seed. The differences were minimal between the two players; Zverev won 83% of points with the first serve, and Klein won 86%, while with the second serve, they had 50% and 39%, respectively.

Klein chose the strategy of avoiding long rallies against the German and approached the net whenever possible, winning 15 points at the net in the first set and 11 in the second. In the second set, he started with trouble, facing two break points, which he eventually saved. In the fourth game, Klein showed that he could cause problems for 'Sascha' when he got his first break opportunity, although the German ultimately prevailed.

The surprise came in the sixth game, where Klein demonstrated his confidence and secured a break that put him ahead 4-2. Zverev sought to recover the break and had four opportunities to do so, but all were saved by the Slovak, who eventually leveled the match with a 6-3 set.

Klein entered the third set focused and quickly secured a break in the first game to take the lead. Both defended their service games well in the following games, and Zverev tried to engage in more rallies to gain an advantage. Still, Klein held onto his service and managed to win the set 6-4.

In the fourth set, Zverev created a couple of opportunities in the fourth game, but once again, Klein saved them. The set extended to the tie-break, where both players conceded several mini-breaks. With the score at 5-4, the decisive mini-break went in favor of 'Sascha,' who seized his second opportunity to claim the set 7-6(5) and force a fifth.

Zverev took the lead in the fifth set with an impressive blank break in the third game. The former world No. 2 led 3-1, but once again, Klein reacted and unexpectedly secured a new break, the last of the match. There were no more surprises for either, and they took the set to the 10-point tie-break, where Zverev prevailed 7-5, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(7), advancing to the third round where he will face the American sensation Alex Michelsen, who eliminated the 32nd seed Jiri Lehecka.