Verdasco knocks out Nadal in Aussie opener

playAlexander Zverev covers the entire court during this impressive point in his first-round match against Andy Murray. (0:35)MELBOURNE -- In the second game of the match, Alexander Zverev's nose began to bleed. The German sauntered over to the sidelines, sat in his changeover chair and lodged a white cotton towel up his nostril while he waited for the trainer.

After a few minutes, play resumed, but the bleeding had only begun. Zverev was overwhelmed by his much more accomplished opponent, No. 2 Andy Murray, losing 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 in the first round of the Australian Open.

Murray was admittedly wary of Zverev, 18, heading into the encounter. Two weeks ago, they met at the Hopman Cup, and while…