Germany's Alexander Zverev overpowered Aljaz Bedene to win their first-round match 6-4 6-1 6-4 &nbsp;at the Australian Open on Tuesday.

Zverev, who is considered a title contender, went down a break midway through the first set, which seemed to prod him into action. He won the next eight games, and Bedene never recovered.

Zverev will play the winner of an all-French first-round match between Jeremy Chardy and Ugo Humbert.

Zverev emerged as the leader of tennis' new generation of men's players after his maiden ATP Finals triumph last year where he defeated Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in consecutive days. 
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Germany's Alexander Zverev overpowered Aljaz Bedene to win their first-round match 6-4 6-1 6-4 at the Australian Open on Tuesday. Zverev, who is considered a title contender, went down a break midway through the first set, which seemed to prod him into action.

Germany's Alexander Zverev overpowered Aljaz Bedene to win their first-round match 6-4 6-1 6-4 at the Australian Open on Tuesday. Zverev, who is considered a title contender, went down a break midway through the first set, which seemed to prod him into action. He won the next eight games, and Bedene never recovered. Zverev will play the winner of an all-French first-round match between Jeremy Chardy and Ugo Humbert. Zverev emerged as the leader of tennis' new generation of men's players after his maiden ATP Finals triumph last year where he defeated Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in consecutive days.

Australian Open: Alexander Zverev overpowers Bedene to move into second round

In pics: Day 2 highlights of Australian Open

World number one Rafael Nadal will aim to book his place in the quarter-finals of Monte Carlo Masters when he takes on Karen Khachanov of Russia in their men's singles clash here on Thursday.

Yesterday, the 31-year-old produced a rich vein of form as he swept aside Aljaz Bedene of Slovania 6-1, 6-3 in a one-sided last-32 clash that lasted one hour and 17 minutes.

Now, he will lock horns with Russi`s Khachanov in his last-16 encounter.

The 16-time Grand Slam champion is bidding for an 11th Monte Carlo title and a record 31st Masters title.

Meanwhile, former world number one and Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic will also look to seal quarter-final spot when he squares off with Dominic Thiem of Austria.

Earlier in the last-32 clash, Djokovic showcased a spirited performance as he had swept aside Borna Coric in straight sets 6-7 (2-7), 5-7 in two hours and 15 minutes.Meanwhile, Japanese tennis star Kei Nishikori and second-seed Marin Cilic of Croatia will also face Italy`s Andreas Seppi and Canadia`s Milos Raonic in their last-16 clash later today.

Nadal will aim to book his place in the quarter-finals

World number one Rafael Nadal will aim to book his place in the quarter-finals of Monte Carlo Masters when he takes on Karen Khachanov of Russia in their men's singles clash here on Thursday. Yesterday, the 31-year-old produced a rich vein of form as he swept aside Aljaz Bedene of Slovania 6-1, 6-3 in a one-sided last-32 clash that lasted one hour and 17 minutes. Now, he will lock horns with Russi`s Khachanov in his last-16 encounter. The 16-time Grand Slam champion is bidding for an 11th Monte Carlo title and a record 31st Masters title. Meanwhile, former world number one and Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic will also look to seal quarter-final spot when he squares off with Dominic Thiem of Austria. Earlier in the last-32 clash, Djokovic showcased a spirited performance as he had swept aside Borna Coric in straight sets 6-7 (2-7), 5-7 in two hours and 15 minutes.Meanwhile, Japanese tennis star Kei Nishikori and second-seed Marin Cilic of Croatia will also face Italy`s Andreas Seppi and Canadia`s Milos Raonic in their last-16 clash later today.

Monte Carlo Masters: Nadal, Djokovic eye quarter-final berths

Roger Federer will open his Australian Open title defence against Slovenian Aljaz Bedene next week, while top seed Rafa Nadal, the losing finalist last year, was paired with Dominican Victor Estrella Burgos at the draw on Thursday.

Women&#39;s top seed Simona Halep of Romania faces Australian wildcard Destanee Aiava in the first round, with second seed Caroline Wozniacki starting out against Halep&#39;s compatriot Mihaela Buzarnescu.

Serena Williams will not defend the women&#39;s title having had her first child last year but 2008 champion Maria Sharapova, who failed a drugs test at the tournament in 2016, is back unseeded after a ban and will face Germany&#39;s Tatjana Maria.

Williams&#39;s sister Venus, who lost to her sibling in the final last year, is seeded fourth and the 37-year-old was handed a tricky first encounter against Swiss former world number seven Belinda Bencic, who is 17 years her junior.

Men&#39;s third seed Grigor Dimitrov will face a qualifier, with Alexander Zverev, ranked fourth, playing Italian Thomas Fabbiano but with 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka, returning after surgery, in his section of the draw.

Young gun Zverev had little luck in his first Australian Open draw as a top five seed with either Wawrinka, who plays Ricardas Berankis, or Novak Djokovic potentially standing in his path in the quarter-finals.

Six-times Melbourne Park champion Djokovic, seeded 14th after missing the back end of last season with an elbow injury, will take on American lefthander Donald Young in his first match with mercurial Frenchman Gael Monfils looming in round two.

Federer also has Milos Raonic, Juan Martin del Potro, David Goffin and Tomas Berdych in his quarter of the draw, while Nadal would appear to have the easier section, although former US Open champion Marin Cilic looms as a last-eight opponent.

If the draw goes to seeding, Dimitrov would face American Jack Sock in the last eight, with ailing world number five Dominic Thiem, who withdrew from Kooyong because of illness on Thursday, taking on Zverev.

Britain&#39;s Andy Murray and Japan`s Kei Nishikori have already withdrawn from the championships and women&#39;s world number three Garbine Muguruza has twice pulled out of tournaments over the last two weeks due to leg cramps and a thigh problem.

The Wimbledon champion is scheduled take on France&#39;s Jessika Ponchet in the first round, while French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko was paired with veteran Francesca Schiavone and US Open champion Sloane Stephens will take on China&#39;s Zhang Shuai.

Australia&#39;s sole men&#39;s seed, Nick Kyrgios, takes on Brazilian Rogerio Dutra Silva and local women`s 18th seed Ashleigh Barty takes on Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka.

Serena Williams will not defend the women's title having had her first child last year but 2008 champion Maria Sharapova, who failed a drugs test at the tournament in 2016, is back unseeded after a ban and will face Germany's Tatjana Maria.

Roger Federer will open his Australian Open title defence against Slovenian Aljaz Bedene next week, while top seed Rafa Nadal, the losing finalist last year, was paired with Dominican Victor Estrella Burgos at the draw on Thursday. Women's top seed Simona Halep of Romania faces Australian wildcard Destanee Aiava in the first round, with second seed Caroline Wozniacki starting out against Halep's compatriot Mihaela Buzarnescu. Serena Williams will not defend the women's title having had her first child last year but 2008 champion Maria Sharapova, who failed a drugs test at the tournament in 2016, is back unseeded after a ban and will face Germany's Tatjana Maria. Williams's sister Venus, who lost to her sibling in the final last year, is seeded fourth and the 37-year-old was handed a tricky first encounter against Swiss former world number seven Belinda Bencic, who is 17 years her junior. Men's third seed Grigor Dimitrov will face a qualifier, with Alexander Zverev, ranked fourth, playing Italian Thomas Fabbiano but with 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka, returning after surgery, in his section of the draw. Young gun Zverev had little luck in his first Australian Open draw as a top five seed with either Wawrinka, who plays Ricardas Berankis, or Novak Djokovic potentially standing in his path in the quarter-finals. Six-times Melbourne Park champion Djokovic, seeded 14th after missing the back end of last season with an elbow injury, will take on American lefthander Donald Young in his first match with mercurial Frenchman Gael Monfils looming in round two. Federer also has Milos Raonic, Juan Martin del Potro, David Goffin and Tomas Berdych in his quarter of the draw, while Nadal would appear to have the easier section, although former US Open champion Marin Cilic looms as a last-eight opponent. If the draw goes to seeding, Dimitrov would face American Jack Sock in the last eight, with ailing world number five Dominic Thiem, who withdrew from Kooyong because of illness on Thursday, taking on Zverev. Britain's Andy Murray and Japan`s Kei Nishikori have already withdrawn from the championships and women's world number three Garbine Muguruza has twice pulled out of tournaments over the last two weeks due to leg cramps and a thigh problem. The Wimbledon champion is scheduled take on France's Jessika Ponchet in the first round, while French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko was paired with veteran Francesca Schiavone and US Open champion Sloane Stephens will take on China's Zhang Shuai. Australia's sole men's seed, Nick Kyrgios, takes on Brazilian Rogerio Dutra Silva and local women`s 18th seed Ashleigh Barty takes on Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka.

Roger Federer to open Australian Open against Bedene

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Australian Open: Alexander Zverev overpowers Bedene to move into second round

In pics: Day 2 highlights of Australian Open

Monte Carlo Masters: Nadal, Djokovic eye quarter-final berths

Roger Federer to open Australian Open against Bedene