Novak Djokovic continued his dominant run at the Australian Open with a comfortable straight-sets victory, moving into the third round with minimal effort.
The Serbian star dropped just seven games in a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win over Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli on a warm afternoon in Melbourne, showing his intent to conserve energy for the later stages of the tournament.
At 38, Djokovic is chasing history as he bids for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam singles title, which would take him one clear of Margaret Court’s long-standing mark.
Managing Fitness And Energy
Djokovic has been vocal about the need to look after his body, especially after struggling with injuries in three of his four Grand Slam semi-finals last year.
A leg injury ended his Australian Open campaign early in 2025, while hip problems at Wimbledon and fatigue at the US Open also affected his performances.
Spending less time on court in the opening rounds has therefore become a key part of his strategy.
“This is about protecting my body and staying fresh,” Djokovic has often emphasised in recent seasons.
His efficient performances in the first two rounds reflect that approach.
Respect For The Opponent
Despite his comfortable win, Djokovic was quick to praise Maestrelli, who is currently ranked world number 141.
“I didn’t know much about him until a few days ago,” Djokovic said.
“The respect is always there and I didn’t underestimate him. He’s got a big serve and a big game, only lacking a bit of experience.”
“He’s got the game to go far and high in the world rankings and I wish him that,” he added.
The victory maintained Djokovic’s perfect record against qualifiers and lucky losers in Grand Slam events, extending it to 37 wins without defeat.
Numbers That Show Dominance
Although his serve was slightly less powerful than in the first round, Djokovic still won 86% of points on his first serve and saved four of the five break points he faced.
He had earlier beaten Spain’s Pedro Martinez by the same scoreline, marking the first time since 2023 that he has not dropped a set in the opening two rounds at Melbourne Park.
These statistics underline his control and consistency in the early stages of the tournament.
Road Ahead In Melbourne
Djokovic will next face Botic van de Zandschulp in the third round, where another win would mark his 400th Grand Slam singles victory — a milestone no other player has achieved.
He is also on the opposite side of the draw from world number one Carlos Alcaraz, meaning the two can only meet in the final.
However, a potential semi-final clash with two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner remains a possibility.
With fitness, form, and focus on his side, Djokovic appears well placed to continue his pursuit of another historic Australian Open title.
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