Djokovic eases past qualifier Maestrelli at Australian Open

The 24-time Grand Slam singles victor cruised into the 3rd circular astatine Melbourne Park.

Novak Djokovic systematically dismantled Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli 6-3 ‍6-2 6-2 ‍on Thursday to scope the Australian Open 3rd round, continuing his quest to marque much past astatine the Rod Laver Arena.

Fourth effect Djokovic, who is seeking a record-extending 11th Melbourne ⁠Park rubric and 25th Grand Slam trophy wide to interruption the ​deadlock with Margaret Court, maintained his dependable grip connected the ‍second-round clash without needing to displacement into apical gear.

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“I didn’t cognize overmuch astir him [Maestrelli] until a fewer days ago, it happens much often than not these ‍days,” Djokovic ⁠said astir his 23-year-old opponent.

“But the respect is ever determination and I didn’t underestimate him. He’s got a large service and a large game, lone lacking a spot of experience. He’s got the crippled to spell acold and precocious successful the satellite rankings and I privation him that.”

The 38-year-old raced done ​the opening acceptable connected the backmost of a ‌break successful the 2nd crippled and pounced again successful the opening crippled of the adjacent acceptable to heap unit connected satellite fig 141 Maestrelli, who struggled to capitalise ‌on his fewer openings.

Djokovic brought up acceptable constituent with an acrobatic backhand and secured the acceptable ‌with an unreturned changeable from the aforesaid ⁠flank to adjacent successful connected his 399th Grand Slam lucifer victory, and his 101st successful Melbourne, leaving him 1 shy of record-holder Roger Federer.

Maestrelli had a uncommon infinitesimal of ‌joy successful the 3rd acceptable arsenic helium recovered a interruption aft conceding two, but Djokovic raised his level again to adjacent retired the ‍victory and publication a gathering with either Botic van de Zandschulp oregon Juncheng Shang.

Djokovic shakes hands with Italy’s Francesco Maestrelli, right, aft their men’s singles lucifer connected time 5 [David Grey/AFP]