Young gun Alexei Popyrin has secured Australia’s equal-best start at Melbourne Park in 16 years after stunning German veteran Mischa Zverev in his grand-slam debut.

The 19-year-old on on Tuesday became the 10th Australian through to the second round after a 7-5 7-6 (9-7) 6-4 opening-round win in a touch under two hours.

World No.149 Popyrin, the 2017 junior French Open winner, hit 60 winners against the 31-year-old Zverev in a performance that vindicated his wildcard entry.

It was an inglorious exit for Zverev and a far cry from his 2017 upset of Andy Murray at Melbourne Park.

Popyrin broke into the top 150 for the first time last year after securing his maiden ATP win at October’s Swiss Indoors.

He joins countrymen Alex de Minaur, John Millman, Jordan Thompson, Matt Ebden and Alex Bolt in the second round, after eight Australians had won their opening matches on Monday.

It hasn’t been as rosy for the local hopes on Tuesday, though, with five Aussies losing.

Wildcard Destanee Aiava went down to American 17th seed Madison Keys 6-2 6-2, while Daria Gavrilova bemoaned a lack of confidence after losing to Tamara Zidansek 7-5 6-3.

Samantha Stosur was overrun by Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska 7-5 6-2 and Ajla Tomljanovic fell 7-6 (7-4) 2-6 7-6 (10-7) to Sydney-born Brit Johanna Konta.

Late in the afternoon, injury-plagued Thanasi Kokkinakis was forced to retire against Japan’s Taro Daniel.

The last time Australia had more representation in the second round of the year’s first major was in 2003 when 11 players made it through their opening match.

Popyrin will face Benoit Paire or seventh seed Dominic Thiem for a place in the third round.