Alexander Zverev defeated Juan Pablo Varillas 4–6, 6–1, 5–7, 7–6, 6–4 in the first round of the Australian Open on hard court. The German top seed weathered an inconsistent performance against the Peruvian qualifier, dropping the opening set before equalising emphatically in the second. Varillas mounted a stern challenge in the third, forcing a deciding fifth set after taking it 7–5, but Zverev regrouped to secure the fourth set via tiebreak and ultimately prevail in a marathon encounter. The victory, though demanding, keeps Zverev on course in Melbourne.