Novak Djokovic greets Italy’s Francesco Maestrelli after defeating him within the Australian Open second spherical match on January 22, 2026
| Picture Credit score: Reuters
Novak Djokovic brushed apart Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli 6-3 6-2 6-2 on Thursday (January 22, 2026) to succeed in the Australian Open third spherical, as girls’s champion Madison Keys overcame a second-set wobble towards Ashlyn Krueger to additionally advance.
Fourth seed Djokovic, searching for a record-extending eleventh Melbourne Park title and twenty fifth Grand Slam trophy general to interrupt the impasse with Margaret Courtroom, maintained his regular grip on the second-round conflict without having to shift into high gear.
“I did not know a lot about him (Maestrelli) till just a few days in the past, it occurs most of the time as of late,” Djokovic mentioned about his 23-year-old opponent.
“However the respect is all the time there and I did not underestimate him. He is obtained a giant serve and a giant sport, solely missing a little bit of expertise. He is obtained the sport to go far and excessive on the planet rankings and I want him that.”
Djokovic, 38, raced by the opening set and pounced once more within the opening sport of the second set to heap stress on world quantity 141 Maestrelli.
The win was Djokovic’s 399th Grand Slam match victory, and his a hundred and first in Melbourne, leaving him one shy of record-holder Roger Federer. Djokovic will subsequent meet Botic van de Zandschulp.
Musetti downs Pal Sonego
Lorenzo Musetti, the fifth seed, received the battle of the Italians on Margaret Courtroom Enviornment as he defeated Lorenzo Sonego 6-3 6-3 6-4 and can subsequent face both Stefano Tsitsipas or Tomas Machac.
“It was not a straightforward match to organize, to play, and to take care of as a result of Lorenzo is one in all my greatest buddies on tour,” mentioned Musetti.
“We not too long ago had a title collectively in doubles, so we shared quite a lot of good reminiscences, so it isn’t simple to separate these issues within the courtroom.”
Eighth seeded Ben Shelton had few points towards Australia’s Dane Sweeny, the American claiming a 6-3 6-2 6-2 win to arrange a 3rd spherical assembly with Valentin Vacherot, who defeated Australia’s Rinky Hijikata in straight units.
Keys stumbles however defeats Krueger
Ladies’s title holder Keys, the ninth seed within the draw, notched up a 6-1 7-5 win over fellow American Krueger however was lower than convincing after powering her means by the opening set.
The defending champion allowed doubts to creep into her sport within the second set, handing Krueger two breaks on serve with a succession of double faults earlier than battling again to progress to the subsequent spherical to face Karolina Pliskova.
“I began very well, and I feel Ashlyn began a bit of sluggish, after which I used to be absolutely anticipating her to boost her stage, which she did,” Keys mentioned.
“As soon as I type of obtained that momentum, I attempted to sink my enamel into the set, and do no matter I might to get again into it.”
Sixth seed Jessica Pegula had few points towards doubles accomplice McCartney Kessler, handing out a complete 6-0 6-2 defeat to her fellow American in 58 minutes and arrange a gathering with Russia’s Oksana Selekhmeteva within the third spherical.
Amanda Anisimova, additionally from america, booked her place within the subsequent section with a 6-1 6-4 win over Katerina Siniakova and the fourth seed will subsequent face compatriot Peyton Stearns.
Play continues on Thursday when defending males’s champion Jannik Sinner takes on Australian wildcard James Duckworth, whereas girls’s second seed Iga Swiatek meets Marie Bouzkova and twice champion Naomi Osaka performs Sorana Cirstea.
Printed – January 22, 2026 12:55 pm IST
