German Tennis Mixed Fortunes at 2026 Australian Open: Zverev Advances, Krawietz and Pütz Exit Early

German tennis players have faced a mixed bag of results at the 2026 Australian Open in Melbourne. Notably, Alexander Zverev progressed to the Round of 16 after a hard-fought victory over Britain's Cameron Norrie, winning 7:5, 4:6, 6:3, 6:1. Despite distractions caused by bird droppings during the match, Zverev served 16 aces and leveraged his powerful forehand, which analysts consider on par with top global players, to secure his win. This victory marks his seventh consecutive win against Norrie and surpasses Boris Becker's record for appearances in the Australian Open Round of 16, showcasing his dominance on home soil. Zverev plans to face Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo next.

In contrast, the German Davis Cup doubles duo Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz suffered an early exit from the doubles competition, falling in the second round to Brazil's Orlando Luz and Rafael Matos in straight sets, 3-6, 6-7 (5-7). Coming off a strong confidence boost from reaching the finals in Adelaide, the pair struggled with their serve and overall performance, leading to disappointment. However, Krawietz and Pütz remain in the mixed doubles event with their respective partners and will prepare for their Davis Cup match against Peru scheduled for February 6-7.

Additionally, Eva Lys encountered difficulties linked to knee problems. After losing her singles match against Sorana Cirstea, she withdrew from her doubles match due to the injury, which has plagued her since the United Cup earlier this year. These setbacks highlight the physical challenges German players are currently navigating at the Grand Slam tournament.

Overall, Germany's tennis contingent at the Australian Open continues to battle both strong opponents and personal setbacks, with Zverev providing a beacon of success amid the struggles faced by others in the team.