Local veteran John Millman has been stunned by Alexander Zverev, with the German No.3 seed winning their Australian Open encounter in straight sets.
World No.89 Millman fought hard on Rod Laver Arena, but Zverev always remained in control to cruise through their second-round match 6-4 6-4 6-0 on Wednesday night.
Zverev, the Olympic gold medallist was in scintillating touch, completing the victory in two hours, to further stake his claim for a breakthrough grand slam title.
With nine-time champion Novak Djokovic back in Serbia, Zverev and world No.2 Daniil Medvedev are in the box seat to claim this year's Open at Melbourne Park.
Millman threw everything he could at Zverev during a compelling first two sets, before the 24-year-old went to another level to close out the match.
Zverev thrived off the hostile environment, with the Melbourne crowd doing its best to push Millman to an upset.
"I could really feel you guys had been in lockdown for two years," Zverev said.
"It was really an amazing, amazing atmosphere.
"Hopefully it gets louder for the next few matches.
"I have said that in the past two years since COVID started, I think sports need the atmosphere.
"Sports need the people. It doesn't matter whether you are for me or against me, I enjoy the noise, and I enjoy being on court in front of all you guys."
Zverev will next meet Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot, who took down Australian wildcard Aleksandar Vukic on Wednesday.
