Novak Djokovic hits a return to Italy’s Francesco Maestrelli. Photograph: AFP
MELBOURNE:
Novak Djokovic despatched 141st-ranked qualifier Francesco Maestrelli packing in straight units to ease into the Australian Open third spherical on Thursday – with a bit of assist from a fig tree.
The Serbian nice is on his newest mission to win a file twenty fifth Grand Slam title and dismissed the Italian 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
Djokovic faces China’s Shang Juncheng or Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands subsequent in Melbourne.
Djokovic is well-known for his typically uncommon preparations, which embody hugging a Brazilian fig tree in Melbourne’s botanical gardens.
“That’s my oldest good friend right here in Melbourne,” stated the 38-year-old former world primary, who has gained 10 Australian titles, greater than anybody in historical past.
“He has been there to heal my wounds and provides me firm.
“It is a wonderful connection, nature is such a robust ally.
“We have now a friendship going over 20 years.”
In sunny, however noticeably cooler temperatures than current days, the fourth seed appeared decided to get the job executed as quick as potential.
Enjoying within the early afternoon on Rod Laver Area, fairly than his typical night slot, Djokovic raced right into a 5-2 lead.
The Italian doggedly held serve regardless of going through a number of set factors, but it surely was solely delaying the inevitable as Djokovic sealed the opening set in 47 minutes.
Djokovic, who has been tied with Margaret Court docket on 24 main titles since profitable the US Open in 2023, was not fairly as devastating as when profitable his first-round match by the identical scoreline.
However he nonetheless had far an excessive amount of for the outclassed 23-year-old.
Djokovic broke Maestrelli, who was making his Grand Slam debut, to start out the second set and cantered into the third spherical.
Keys attracts on champion mindset
Madison Keys stated she drew on her expertise as defending champion to drag via a hazard second and make the Australian Open third spherical on Thursday, rattling off 5 straight video games to safe victory.
Keys, who upset Aryna Sabalenka in final yr’s remaining, blew cold and hot towards fellow American Ashlyn Krueger earlier than getting over the road 6-1, 7-5.
It arrange a conflict with former semi-finalist Karolina Pliskova after the Czech ended the goals of Indonesia’s Janice Tjen in straight units.
“I believe in these powerful type of moments like immediately, getting down in that second set, simply type of reminding your self that you’ve got been right here earlier than, you figured it out,” Keys stated.
“I believe while you’re ready to do this in a spot the place you could have had success, it simply feels prefer it comes a bit of bit simpler.”
Keys admitted after her laboured first-round win that she was a bundle of nerves and “too timid”.
The 29-year-old threw off the shackles within the first set towards the 92nd-ranked Krueger, taking it in simply 23 minutes on John Cain Area earlier than having to rally from 2-5 down within the second.
“I began very well and Ash a bit of slowly,” stated Keys, who started her season with quarter-final exits at Brisbane and Adelaide.
“I totally anticipated her to lift her degree and she or he did. But it surely simply bought away from me a bit of rapidly.
“Then as soon as I bought that momentum (again), I simply tried to sink my tooth into the set and do no matter I might to get again into it.”
After taking greater than an hour to win the primary set in her opening spherical, Keys broke on three events towards Krueger to storm via it this time.
Hitting nicely and pushing her opponent across the courtroom, the ninth seed seemed ominous and held to like in opening her second set account.
However Krueger, consulting a guide on the changeovers, upped her depth and towards the percentages broke Keys to steer 3-2 after the champion’s serve imploded, double-faulting thrice.
Keys was damaged once more, to like and as soon as extra on a double-fault, to droop 5-2 behind.
Nonetheless, she gathered herself to reel off 5 straight video games and keep within the title hunt.
