Second-seeded Alexander Zverev easily cruised past Frenchman Lucas Pouille 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 and into Australian Open second round on Sunday.

Twice Grand Slam runner-up Zverev has made no secret of his ambition to lift a maiden major at Melbourne Park this year and the 2024 semi-finalist hit the ground running.

An inside-out forehand winner secured the opening set and the 27-year-old built a 3-1 lead in the next on the back of big hitting to leave Pouille soaked in sweat and seeking answers.

After doubling his advantage, Zverev raised his level a notch in the third set to seal his third break out of 18 opportunities and held in a tight game to go 5-3 up.

He finished off the 2019 semi-finalist with an ace to book a second-round clash with Pedro Martinez, who went through after Luciano Darderi retired due to injury trailing 6-3, 4-1.

On the same day, Chinese rising star Bu Yunchaokete suffered a straight sets defeat to qualifier Hady Habib, crashing out in the first round.

Habib served strongly and overcame a late rally from Bu to record a 7-6 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (6) victory in two hours and 31 minutes.

The 22-year-old Chinese is still seeking a maiden victory at a Grand Slam having made his debut at last year's U.S. Open, where he lost to Norway's Casper Ruud in the first round.

His match against Habib was significantly delayed due to heavy rain that lashed Melbourne, leading to the suspension of play on the outside courts.

It did not start until the evening, with the muscular Bu entering as the favorite but wary against Habib, who had advanced to the main draw after three rounds of qualifying.

Habib became the first men's Lebanese player to reach a Grand Slam singles draw.