Zverev out of the Australian Open after 2nd round defeat to Mmoh

Olympic champion Alexander Zverev was eliminated from the Australian Open after being defeated by Michael Mmoh of the United States in the second round match on Thursday, reported dpa.

Mmoh claimed a 6-7 (1-7), 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 win and, for the first time since his debut in 2016, Zverev didn't make it to the third round of the Australian Open.

The German, however, was far from his top form, as the event in Melbourne marked his return to a major competition some seven months after suffering a serious ankle injury.

"I didn't do enough. But it's not like I should hugely blame myself for that. I have a hard work ahead of me to return to where I was (before the injury)," Zverev said.

It's also the first time Zverev has lost at a Grand Slam to a lucky loser - a competitor who loses in qualifying but still enters the main draw. Mmoh only qualified for the Australian Open due to another player's withdrawal.

In the third round on Friday, the US athlete will now face countryman JJ Wolf, who defeated Argentina's Diego Schwartzman 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.