Djokovic cruises past Maestrelli to reach Australian Open third round

Novak Djokovic eased through a tidy straight-sets victory over Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli, winning 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena to reach the Australian Open third round. The fourth seed’s dominant performance marked his 399th Grand Slam singles match win, leaving him one victory short of becoming the first man to reach 400 Grand Slam match wins, and extended his unbeaten record against qualifiers at majors to 32-0.

Djokovic took control from the outset, breaking Maestrelli in the second game and again early in the second set to build decisive leads. He moved with the poise that has defined his career, striking the ball cleanly and rarely surrendering momentum. An acrobatic backhand helped him bring up set point, and he closed out games with a mix of depth, angles and precise serving that left the 23-year-old Italian hunting for answers.

Maestrelli, making his Grand Slam main-draw debut and ranked 141st in the world, produced a few bright moments. He saved multiple break points with a flurry of power serves in the opening set, firing three aces in one service game, and he recovered a break in the third set after being broken twice earlier. Those flashes of firepower underlined why he earned his place in the draw, but Djokovic quickly reasserted control each time and wrapped up the match without being pushed into a fourth set.

Service metrics underlined the contrast in styles. Maestrelli reached 221 km/h on his quickest first serve and averaged 194 km/h on first deliveries and 160 km/h on seconds, while Djokovic’s quickest first serve was 202 km/h with averages of 185 km/h and 155 km/h. Maestrelli landed 55 percent of his first serves in the opening set, but Djokovic dropped only seven points on serve in that set, underscoring his efficiency on return games and general command of rallies.

Windy, breezy conditions at Melbourne Park complicated ball flight and timing, and Djokovic acknowledged the change in environment, saying it felt like "an entirely different tournament" compared with his first-round night match. He also tempered any talk of complacency regarding an unfamiliar opponent, saying, "I didn’t know much about him until yesterday… Nevertheless, respect is always there. I don’t underestimate anyone. He’s got a big serve. He’s got a big game. He’s lacking experience on the big stage, but he’s got the game to go high."

The victory keeps Djokovic on track in his bid to add to an already historic resume. The 24-time major champion is a 10-time Australian Open winner and is seeking an 11th Melbourne Park crown and a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title. He is making his 21st Australian Open appearance and has now reached the third round in 18 of those starts. Djokovic will face either Botic van de Zandschulp or Juncheng Shang in the next round.

Beyond the immediate result, the match highlighted broader themes in men’s tennis: the persistent gulf between established superstars and rising players, and the commercial and cultural gravity a player like Djokovic brings to a major when milestones loom. For Maestrelli, the match offered a high-profile baptism of fire and a platform to build on; for Djokovic, it was a measured step toward history.