German star Alexander Zverev says little has changed since he rocketed to world No.4 - but that could all change if he cracks a maiden grand slam win at Melbourne Park.
Zverev took his first step towards an Australian Open title on Tuesday, scrapping his way to a straight-sets win over Thomas Fabbiano to kick off his campaign.
The 20-year-old started brightly against the Italian world No.73, who made it a contest in the second set before succumbing 6-1 7-6 (7-5) 7-5.
Zverev was joined in the second round on day two by six-time Open champion Novak Djokovic, 2014 winner Stan Wawrinka and seventh-seeded Belgian David Goffin.
Dominic Thiem and Juan Martin Del Potro joined them later on Tuesday, with late-finishing straight sets wins.
Despite his promise and rapid climb up the rankings from world No.24 just 12 months ago, Zverev has so far failed to go beyond a grand slam fourth round.
But he won five titles last year and picked up wins against Roger Federer and Djokovic, who he is on track to meet in the fourth round at Melbourne Park.
Zverev said his family, including his father and coach Alexander and brother Mischa, the world No.35, and even his toy poodle Lovik didn't treat him differently despite his recent success.
"At home nothing changed," Zverev said.
"My brother still makes fun of me, my mum and dad are still there and my dog doesn't even realise who I am, so nothing changes at home."
Absent from the court since the season-ending championship in November, he started the year with a disappointing Hopman Cup campaign but said he was starting to find his groove.
"I was a little bit rusty," Zverev said.
"The first set was really good but then got a little bit sloppy, but I think that's
normal - that's just lack of matches.
"I'm happy to get through, and hopefully it will be better in the next round.
He will next face countryman world No.62 Peter Gojowczyk, who overcame Mikhail Kukushkin in three.
Goffin outplayed another German in qualifier Matthias Bachinger 6-7 (7-3) 6-3 6-2 6-4 to book a round-two match-up with Frenchman Julien Benneteau.
But former semi-finalist and 22nd seed Milos Raonic was a first-round casualty, falling to Slovakian Lukas Lacko 6-7 (7-5) 7-5 6-4 7-6 (7-4).
Raonic said he was off the pace due to a frustrating run of injuries that limited his court time last year and affected his Open build-up.
"I struggled physically from fitness and lack of preparation and that caught up with me," the former world No.3 said.
American 13th seed Sam Querrey had an impressive win over Spanish veteran Feliciano Lopez and next plays Hungarian Marton Fucsovics.
Djokovic will meet veteran Gael Monfils while Wawrinka takes on unseeded American Tennys Sandgren.
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