The 24-time Grand Slam singles winner cruised into the third spherical at Melbourne Park.
Printed On 22 Jan 2026
Novak Djokovic systematically dismantled Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli 6-3 6-2 6-2 on Thursday to succeed in the Australian Open third spherical, persevering with his quest to make extra historical past on the Rod Laver Area.
Fourth seed Djokovic, who’s looking for a record-extending eleventh Melbourne Park title and twenty fifth Grand Slam trophy general to interrupt the impasse with Margaret Court docket, maintained his regular grip on the second-round conflict while not having to shift into high gear.
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“I didn’t know a lot about him [Maestrelli] till just a few days in the past, it occurs as a rule these days,” Djokovic stated about his 23-year-old opponent.
“However the respect is at all times there and I didn’t underestimate him. He’s bought a giant serve and a giant recreation, solely missing a little bit of expertise. He’s bought the sport to go far and excessive on the planet rankings and I want him that.”
The 38-year-old raced via the opening set on the again of a break within the second recreation and pounced once more within the opening recreation of the following set to heap strain on world quantity 141 Maestrelli, who struggled to capitalise on his few openings.
Djokovic introduced up set level with an acrobatic backhand and secured the set with an unreturned shot from the identical flank to shut in on his 399th Grand Slam match victory, and his one hundred and first in Melbourne, leaving him one shy of record-holder Roger Federer.
Maestrelli had a uncommon second of pleasure within the third set as he recovered a break after conceding two, however Djokovic raised his stage once more to shut out the victory and ebook a gathering with both Botic van de Zandschulp or Juncheng Shang.
