If there’s one player in the Australian Open 2026 field who could write a bestseller based on lessons in longevity, it’s 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic.
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The Serbian 38-year-old eased into the third round at Melbourne Park for the 18th time in 21 starts by outclassing qualifier Francesco Maestrelli 6-3 6-2 6-2 in the pair’s first meeting.
“I didn’t know much about him until yesterday actually… it happens more often than not these days for me,” Djokovic said after Thursday’s win in breezy conditions at Rod Laver Arena.
“Respect is always there, and you don’t underestimate anyone,” he added. “He’s got a big serve, he’s got a big game, obviously he’s still lacking experience on the big stage but he’s got the game to go far and to go high in the rankings so I wish him that.”
Pisa-born Maestrelli stands three inches taller than Djokovic at a commanding 6’5” and told ATPTour.com that he planned to serve as fast as possible, expecting his accomplished foe to outfox him in rallies.
The Italian’s quickest first serve landed at 221 km/h, faster than Djokovic’s 202 km/h, and his average first and second serves clocked in at 194 km/h and 160 km/h respectively, again faster than the Serbian’s 185 km/h and 155 km/h.
But speed alone isn’t enough to win matches.
The world No.141 made just 55 per cent of first serves in the opening set and couldn’t recover from an early deficit after conceding his first service game.
Serving to stay in the set at 2-5, Maestrelli fired a trio of aces while saving four break points before Djokovic, who dropped just seven points on serve in the opening set, exerted his superiority to close it out with an ace of his own.
The second set began much like the first with Djokovic – dominating from the baseline - immediately breaking. Though Maestrelli created two opportunities to recapture the break, Djokovic fended both off to maintain the advantage.
Still, the Italian improved his consistency on serve and continued to charge the net, earning applause from Djokovic for a particularly well-struck drop volley.
With his sights set on being reunited with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup next Sunday, the Serbian appreciates efficiency in best-of-five matches. Presented with chances to surge further ahead, he struck a sizzling backhand to break for a 5-2 lead and comfortably held to seal the set.
The crowd at Rod Laver Arena, dozens proudly waving Serbian flags, felt a sense of déjà-vu early in the third set as Djokovic broke his 23-year-old opponent to love for a 2-1 lead.
Italian fans led chants of “Fran-ces-co!” when the qualifier created a break point chance of his own in the next game, but they were quickly silenced by a forehand winner from the 24-time major champion, who proceeded to consolidate.
Pedal to the metal, Djokovic began accelerating to the finish line by breaking Maestrelli again, courtesy of a double fault from the Italian.
Though Maestrelli prolonged the battle by becoming the first man to break Djokovic at Melbourne Park this year, the Serbian quickly claimed revenge – and the match - as his heavy groundstrokes and formidable point construction continued to plague his less experienced opponent. With the win, the world No.4 extended his unbeaten record against qualifiers at Grand Slams to 32-0.
The Serbian fourth seed said Thursday’s conditions felt like he was competing in an entirely different tournament to the one in which he earned a first-round win over Pedro Martinez under the lights. The wind “has been blowing this year more than any other year that I've been playing here in Australia,” observed the 38-year-old.
“Obviously have to adjust to that and adapt to a different opponent with big serve but … I'm pleased with the way I'm moving and hitting the ball.”
The holder of 101 singles titles, who withdrew from the Adelaide International, is taking positives from his first two matches in Melbourne.
“It's paying off, the work I've done in the off-season,” he said. “I'm really happy I'm able to play this way, considering the lack of competitive matches for more than two months.”
In the third round against Botic van de Zandschulp, Djokovic has a chance to make more tennis history as the first player to record 400 singles victories at Grand Slams and to equal Roger Federer’s record of 102 match wins at the AO.
That clash carries a sense of intrigue, in part because Djokovic was upset by the 30-year-old Dutchman in three sets at Indian Wells last year and their head-to-head record is evenly poised at 1-1.