Serbian legend claims 101st Melbourne victory in dominant display, while American stars advance in straight sets ahead of marquee evening matches.
Novak Djokovic continued his relentless pursuit of tennis history on Thursday, dispatching Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 to reach the Australian Open third round. The commanding victory marked Djokovic’s 399th Grand Slam match win, placing him just one behind Roger Federer’s all-time record of 400.
The 38-year-old Serbian, chasing an unprecedented 11th Australian Open title and a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam, efficiently controlled the match from the baseline. He broke the world No. 141’s serve early in each set, showcasing his trademark precision and court management without needing to produce his most explosive tennis.
“The respect is always there,” Djokovic said of his opponent. “He’s got a big serve and a big game, only lacking a bit of experience. He’s got the game to go far.”
Next for the fourth seed is a clash with Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp.
In women’s action, defending champion Madison Keys navigated a second-set challenge from compatriot Ashlyn Krueger to advance 6-1, 7-5. The ninth-seeded American fired 27 winners but struggled with consistency late, battling back from a break down in the second set to set up a high-stakes third-round meeting with former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova.
“I started really well,” Keys acknowledged. “Once I kind of got that momentum back, I tried to sink my teeth in.”
Other American women enjoyed smoother passages. Sixth seed Jessica Pegula delivered a ruthless 58-minute, 6-0, 6-2 victory over friend and doubles partner McCartney Kessler, while Amanda Anisimova defeated Katerina Siniakova 6-1, 6-4 to set up an all-American encounter with Peyton Stearns.
Elsewhere, fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti triumphed in an emotional all-Italian battle against close friend Lorenzo Sonego, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4. Eighth-seeded Ben Shelton also progressed in straight sets against Australian Dane Sweeny.
The evening session promises more star power, with defending men’s champion Jannik Sinner, women’s second seed Iga Świątek, and returning former champion Naomi Osaka all taking the court.
