Online Reporter
MELBOURNE. − Novak Djokovic systematically dismantled Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli 6-3 6-2 6-2 yesterday to reach the Australian Open third round, continuing his quest to make more history at the Rod Laver Arena.
Fourth seed Djokovic, who is seeking a record-extending 11th Melbourne Park title and 25th Grand Slam trophy overall to break the deadlock with Margaret Court, maintained his steady grip on the second-round clash without needing to shift into top gear.
“I didn’t know much about him (Maestrelli) until a few days ago, it happens more often than not these days,” Djokovic said about his 23-year-old opponent.
“But the respect is always there and I didn’t underestimate him. He’s got a big serve and a big game, only lacking a bit of experience. He’s got the game to go far and high in the world rankings and I wish him that.”
The 38-year-old raced through the opening set on the back of a break in the second game and pounced again in the opening game of the next set to heap pressure on world number 141 Maestrelli, who struggled to capitalise on his few openings.
Djokovic brought up set point with an acrobatic backhand and secured the set with an unreturned shot from the same flank to close in on his 399th Grand Slam match victory, and his 101st in Melbourne, leaving him one shy of record‑holder Roger Federer.
Maestrelli had a rare moment of joy in the third set as he recovered a break after conceding two, but Djokovic raised his level again to close out the victory and book a meeting with either Botic van de Zandschulp or Juncheng Shang.
Meanwhile, Defending champion Madison Keys overcame struggles with her game to advance to the third round of the Australian Open with a 6-1 7-5 win over fellow American Ashlyn Krueger at Melbourne Park yesterday.
The 30-year-old was once again less than convincing in her victory, two days after labouring in a first-round win over Ukrainian Grand Slam debutant Oleksandra Oliynykova.
Keys took 23 minutes to claim the opening set with a confident display that saw the American hit seven winners and convert all three break points against her compatriot in a one-sided start to the contest.
But the current world number nine allowed doubts to creep into her game in the second set, handing Krueger two breaks in serve with a succession of double faults that saw the 21-year-old open up a three-game lead.
Keys responded, however, by winning five games in a row to close out the match and progress to the next round.
“I started really well, and I think Ashlyn started a little slow, and then I was fully expecting her to raise her level, which she did,” Keys said.
“Once I kind of got that momentum, I tried to sink my teeth into the set, and do whatever I could to get back into it.” − Reuters.
Mathew Masinge