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Key events
It’s not been a great day for Australian hopes with Rinky Hijikata falling in four to Valentin Vacherot (30), and Dane Sweeny bowing out in straight sets to Ben Shelton (8).
Lorenzo Musetti (5) won the all-Italian battle against Lorenzo Sonego in straight sets. Musetti is in a stacked section containing Stefanos Tsitsipas, Stan Wawrinka, and Taylor Fritz.
Amanda Anisimova (4) is a set up on Katerina Siniakova as she bids to join seeded compatriots Jessica Pegula (6) and Madison Keys (9) in the third round.
With Djokovic two sets and a break up, let’s spin around the courts and catch up on some more action.
Maestrelli 1-2 2-6 3-6 Djokovic (4)* Djokovic continues to adopt a deeper returning position in a bid to extend points on the Maestrelli serve. It works a treat as he eases to 0-40 simply by keeping the ball alive long enough for the Italian to flame out. Then he secures the break with a return that’s too good for the qualifier as he tries to sneak in to the net behind a second-serve.
*Maestrelli 1-1 2-6 3-6 Djokovic (4) Three first serves, four easy points, Djokovic holds to love.
Maestrelli 1-0 2-6 3-6 Djokovic (4)* Between sets Djokovic slips into a fresh green polo while Maestrelli has a very animated conversation with his box. Whatever was communicated in Italian works as the qualifier races to 40-0. Djokovic then showcases his trademark offensive-defence, seemingly on the back foot for most of a mid-length rally only to slide to his left and crunch a backhand winner down the line on the move. So so good. Not that it matters much this game though as Maestrelli serves out the hold.
Djokovic wins the second set 6-2
*Maestrelli 0-0 2-6 3-6 Djokovic (4) Djokovic holds to 30 and seals the second set. He showed signs of moving into third gear late on in that set but this remains a very controlled low-intensity performance from the 10-time champion.
Maestrelli 2-5 3-6 Djokovic (4)* That’s more like it. Standing deeper on return Djokovic controls the game from the baseline and secures a second break for the set. His execution at each critical moment was pinpoint, wrong-footing Maestrelli with his spin, then forcing the Italian to try to pick a volley off his laces at the net. A brief glimpse of brilliance.
*Maestrelli 2-4 3-6 Djokovic (4) Djokovic isn’t timing his groundstrokes perfectly so he allows himself a rueful smile when he does peel off a forehand winner. He holds to 15 but also throws in a double fault and requires another inch-perfect lob at 40-15 with Maestrelli looking the likelier to win the point.
The Serbian is doing just enough. Against a more wily opponent a performance like this might cost him. But then, he would probably up his level as circumstances demanded. This appears to be all about energy conservation and match management under the afternoon sun on centre court.
Maestrelli 2-3 3-6 Djokovic (4)* Djokovic throws his hands to the sky for the second time this afternoon at 30-15. Then he signals his displeasure to his box about his failure to come forward and time shots on the rise. Nonetheless he forces deuce after a drop shot that was so centimetre perfect it landed on the net cord before dropping Maestrelli’s way.
A searing serve out wide, and a thunderous body serve earn Maestrelli game points but on both occasion Djokovic saves them, the second with incredible court coverage, defence, and racket skill. The Italian makes no mistake with the third opportunity, keeping his nose to the grindstone and asserting himself behind his powerful serve.
*Maestrelli 1-3 3-6 Djokovic (4) It is noticeable how slowly Djokovic is moving between games, and how often he is pausing to spend time in the shade and reach for his towel. It is sunny in Melbourne, but temperatures are comparatively low. It might simply be strategic and long-term energy conservation but it wouldn’t surprise me to learn he’s not 100% healthy.
That vague sense is compounded when he falls 15-30 down on serve to Maestrelli’s superior movement and hunger. But as if reading my words the genius ups a gear and crunches a crosscourt forehand winner with more spite than we’ve seen all match. More Maestrelli pressure catches Djokovic flat-footed and forces deuce but the Serbian holds his nerve and his serve.
Maestrelli has 21 winners and 21 unforced errors, representative of his ho-big or go-home approach.
Maestrelli 1-2 3-6 Djokovic (4)* Maestrelli moves up 30-0 then seems destined to lose the next point with Djokovic all over him, until he unleashes the shot of the match, a half-volleyed backhand pass down the line that stays in by a few stray hairs of ball fluff. He seals the hold at the conclusion of a wonderful rally, one showcasing the Italian’s touch to bring Djokovic to the net, the Serbian’s own deft hands, then an inch-perfect lob that the veteran tries to trick-shot his way out of, only to find the qualifier waiting for the put-away.
*Maestrelli 0-2 3-6 Djokovic (4) Djokovic double-faults at 15-0 then falls behind when Maestrelli reads the Serbian’s intentions at the net and passes on his forehand side. 30-30 becomes break point when Djokovic slaps an inside-out forehand wide but he saves it with his go-to serve today, down the T to Maestrelli’s forehand.
The patten repeats with a second break point rescued by another unplayable serve down the T. Thereafter the veteran takes his service game by the scruff of the neck, painting the corners of the court and snuffing out any hope of the Italian breaking back.
Maestrelli 0-1 3-6 Djokovic (4)* A feature of the match so far has been Djokovic’s acrobatic stretching backhand returns, and one of those at 15-15 sends a Maestrelli rocket back over the net and keeps him alive long enough for the Italian to err. The Italian then mistimes an entry to the net to give up two break points, the first of which is saved with a delicate drop shot, but the second goes Djokovic’s way after a punishing 16-shot rally that has both men audible grunting.
There’s the early break for the 10-time champion.
That was not vintage Djokovic. He’s in second gear and his body language has been uncharacteristically flat. Nonetheless he still clearly has too much for his willing opponent. Maestrelli has a cracking serve (especially to the ad court) but his all round game just contains too many unforced errors.
Djokovic wins the first set 6-3
*Maestrelli 0-0 3-6 Djokovic (4) A couple of soft unforced errors and a slippery ace take Djokovic to three set points. Maestrelli saves the first when he hakes the ball on the rise and hammers a rasping backhand winner down the line, then the second when his heavy hitting from the baseline prompts Djokovic to misdirect a backhand. Any nerves at 40-30 after failing to convert six previous set points? Of course not, an ace seals the first set.
Maestrelli 3-5 Djokovic (4)* More Maestrelli errors usher Djokovic to 0-30 then a double fault hands his opponent three set points, all of which are saved by thunderous serves – two aces in the ad court and an unreturnable one into the deuce. Another break point is saved with an ace, then Djokovic throws his hands to the sky after hitting a routine backhand long. That was the first demonstration of any emotion from the 38 year old this afternoon. He tries to back it up with an assertive point but concedes the game when his leaping backhand drive flies long.
*Maestrelli 2-5 Djokovic (4) Maestrelli’s unforced error count grows as Djokovic eases to 40-0. A flukey return winner delays the inevitable. The veteran has now won 13/15 points behind his first serve. Smooth if unspectacular progress so far.
Maestrelli 2-4 Djokovic (4)* Djokovic hits a couple of funky shots at 15-0 but still shows his extraordinary speed and court coverage to pounce on a drop shot. Then he dominates from the baseline to move up 15-30 as Maestrelli’s unforced error count grows to double his more storied opponent’s. The Italian fights back with some big serving and heavy forehands but then misses a crosscourt backhand for deuce.
Djokovic earns a break point with a beautifully disguised backhand drop shot that Maestrelli saves with a 221kmh ace right down the middle of the court. The Italian is playing brave serve-volley tennis where possible, coming to the net to force Djokovic into making decisions. It earns him a game point but he misses his next serve allowing Djokovic to hammer a massive return to take us back to deuce. The qualifier doesn’t panic, and after Djokovic hits long he seals the hold with another ace.
*Maestrelli 1-4 Djokovic (4) A 21-shot rally, the longest of the match, ends with Djokovic slapping a backhand into the net for 30-30. The Serbian then lands an ace followed by another unreturnable first serve to secure the hold. Djokovic is serving at 75%, so even in second gear he’s in cruise control on his pet court.
Maestrelli 1-3 Djokovic (4)* The qualifier crushes a forehand line drive to move up 30-15, and backs it up with a 208 kmph serve out-wide on the ad-court that Djokovic cannot handle. Djokovic has a sniff of another break at 40-30 but the Italian holds with a neat backhand winner.
*Maestrelli 0-3 Djokovic (4) Another sign Djokovic’s killer instinct perhaps hasn’t kicked in yet comes at 30-0 when he floats a weak drop shot into the net with the rally on his racket. Two massive first serves seal the hold.
Maestrelli 0-2 Djokovic (4)* The Italian launches a 212kmh serve to level at 15-15 then curls a heavy forehand winner to signal to Djokovic he has weapons. Maestrelli moves up 40-30 despite Djokovic controlling the rally and manoeuvring his opponent around without ever moving in for the kill, but then concedes a double fault to drop back to deuce.
I mentioned how relaxed Djokovic looked in the opening game and there’s a risk he may be too relaxed, or perhaps slightly off kilter. His rally play at deuce after failing to punish Maestrelli at 30-30 continues the lackadaisical air – not that it matters. The Italian dumps a routine volley into the net at game point, fails to execute a drop shot to gift break point, whereupon he overhits from the baseline.
Djokovic has the early break but this has been a curious opening.
*Maestrelli 0-1 Djokovic (4) Four out of five first serves in, ending with a game -clinching ace. Djokovic is up and running in second gear, with the air of a man humouring his enthusiastic child.
Djokovic to serve first…
Cries of “Nole!” as the living legend strides out onto a sunbathed Rod Laver Arena. He unpacks his bags in front of a knot of Serbian fans and pulls on a white crocodilian hat. Maestrelli is wearing his baseball cap backwards, like a Steve Buscemi meme.
Tumaini Carayol was courtside for Djokovic’s round one exhibition.
Djokovic seems to create history every time he steps on to a tennis court these days, and this occasion was no different. By simply lining up to the baseline against Martínez, Djokovic tied Roger Federer’s record of most main-draw appearances at the Australian Open (21), a tournament he has won a record 10 times, and Federer’s and Feliciano López’s record of most grand slam appearances (81).
Ok, now it’s time to focus our attention on Novak Djokovic. He’s finishing his stretching and warm-ups backstage, resplendent in vivid green Lacoste. The outsider Francesco Maestrelli is pacing around, doing his best not to show the nerves that will clearly be coursing through his body. The 23 year old is bedecked in a Wimbledon-worthy white Diadora outfit.
Yesterday, Carlos Alcaraz continued his quest to complete a career grand slam at the age of 22.
And Alex de Minaur showed plenty of grit to keep home hopes alive.
Paula Badosa, the Spanish 25th seed is out, beaten in straight sets by Oksana Selekhmeteva. The Russian’s reward is a third round date with sixth seed Jessica Pegula.
15th seed Karen Khachanov dropped just eight games as he strolled past Nishesh Basavareddy. The Russian is scheduled to face Jannik Sinner in round four.
It’s chilly at Melbourne Park
There is nowhere quite like Melbourne for changeable weather. It’s going to be 40C on Saturday, and 43C is forecast for Tuesday, but today the top will be just 20, with a stiff southerly breeze making it feel a few degrees cooler. This has worked out well for Djokovic who will avoid an energy sapping afternoon of fierce heat on what is a rare daytime start.
It’s been a busy start to the day for Americans in the women’s singles.
Ninth seed and defending champion Madison Keys is through to the third round after a straight sets victory over compatriot Ashlyn Krueger.
Also into the third round is sixth seed Jessica Pegula. She dropped just two games crushing countrywoman McCartney Kessler.
Fourth seed Amanda Anisimova is on Margaret Court Arena shortly against Katerina Siniakova.
Preamble
Jonathan Howcroft
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of Francesco Maestrelli v Novak Djokovic in the second round of the men’s singles at the Australian Open. The first serve on Rod Laver Arena will not be before 1:30pm local time.
Aged 38 years and eight months the most successful player in the history of men’s tennis continues to defy expectations. Entering his 21st Australian Open Djokovic waltzed through his opening round with the élan of athlete for whom age exists in the minds of commentators, but not in his own rubbery ankles and lithe torso.
As he destroyed Pedro Martínez for his 100th win at Melbourne Park all the trademarks were on full display: the baseline shuttle runs at a speed that makes the television viewer wonder if a frame has dropped as he arrives in position to keep every rally alive, the metronomic serving, his unique blend of calmness and intensity, like an apex predator enjoying an hors d’oeuvre.
The Serbian has a record 24 grand slam titles, but he hasn’t added to his collection since September 2023. Since that time Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have asserted a duopoly at the top of men’s tennis. Conventional wisdom follows that if Djokovic is to sneak a 25th major, and inch ahead of Margaret Court on the all-time standings, his best opportunity is right here, right now, at the tournament he was won a record ten times.
His passage to the semi-finals is favourable, but seeded outside the top two as he balances a reduced schedule, he will likely to have to dethrone both young usurpers if he is to ascend into sporting immortality. Should he do so, he will surely have no more worlds left to conquer.
23 year old qualifier Francesco Maestrelli is playing just his second main draw match at a slam. His first was a five-set epic in the opening round against Térence Atmane. Even in inevitable crushing defeat, this will be a huge occasion to savour for the Italian.
More from Melbourne Park shortly, but if you want to get in touch while the blog is live you can contact me on email at [email protected].
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