Alexander Zverev slumped out of the Australian Open in the second round at the hands of American Michael Mmoh on Thursday, fulfilling the low expectations he had about his trip to Melbourne Park.
The 25-year-old’s 2022 season lasted until the semi-final of the French Open against Rafa Nadal, when he suffered an ankle injury that would sideline him for months.
A bone edema kept him off the court for the remainder of the season and he arrived in Australia with a realistic view about his chances of going deep in the year’s first Grand Slam.
He had to come back from two sets to one down to beat Peruvian Juan Pablo Varillas in the opening round on Tuesday but overcoming a second lucky loser on Thursday was beyond him and Mmoh joined an American charge into the third round.
“I didn’t have any expectations. I didn’t have any goals, and it was a good test for me,” Zverev told reporters after the 6-7(1) 6-4 6-3 6-2 defeat.
“I played a five-setter, and I know where I am physically. That’s about it. I guess I still have a long way back to where I was.”
