The 27-year-old is the top seed at the ATP 250 event that includes players such as Holger Rune, Lorenzo Musetti and teenage sensation Joao Fonseca.

Zverev is keen to secure his first title of 2025 and it will not be easy, but he has certainly made a solid start to his campaign in Buenos Aires.

Alexander Zverev was up against Dusan Lajovic in his opening match at the Argentina Open.

This was not only his first time campaign in Argentina, but the World number was also making his tour-level debut in South America.

Lajovic pushed Zverev hard on serve at times, and the Serbian’s aggressive play disrupted his rhythm.

But Zverev, who won 80 per cent of the points behind his first serve, took the first set and rallied from a break down in the second to clinch a 6-4, 6-4 victory.

Zverev received a warm reception from the crowd and thanked them for their support post-match. “I’m happy with my win. Maybe not the best match I’ve played, but it’s great to get your first win on a clay court,” he said.

“The Argentines are very passionate, so it’s incredible to see a lot of people out for a first-round match. I’m enjoying myself and hopefully I’ll play a lot more matches here.”

When did Alexander Zverev last play in South America?

Zverev made his tour-level debut in South America, 11 years after he last played a tournament there.

That came on the Challenger Tour in 2014 and while the three-time Grand Slam runner-up was down at 800 in the rankings.

Now he has returned as one of the best players in the world and is searching for the 24th title of his career.

To continue that quest Zverev will have to win his Argentina Open quarter-final against home favourite Francisco Cerundolo.

Zverev will inevitably experience less of the crowd on his side when he takes on Cerundolo, who their only meeting back at the 2024 Madrid Open.