Djokovic’s Rare Wobble Ignites Melbourne Dominance

Under Melbourne’s baking sun, Novak Djokovic turned a rare slip into fuel, dismantling Francesco Maestrelli in a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 second-round clinic that pushed his Grand Slam singles wins to 399. The 38-year-old Serb, hunting an 11th Australian Open title and a record 25th major, absorbed the crowd’s hum as he dictated from the baseline with heavy topspin forehands that pinned the Italian deep. This milestone edges him toward becoming the first to hit 400, a number that hangs heavy in a tournament already testing his grip on the throne.

The match hummed along until the third set’s sixth game, where Djokovic followed his second serve to the net but netted a volley, handing Maestrelli his only break of the tournament. The No. 141-ranked qualifier, a 23-year-old making his Grand Slam main-draw debut after battling through rounds, briefly disrupted the rhythm with his big serve. Yet Djokovic, ever the perfectionist, reset with a love break in the next game, firing inside-out winners to seize a 5-2 lead before an eight-point streak closed it out.

A break that sharpens the blade

That momentary lapse stung, but it sparked the fire Djokovic channels into dominance on these grippy hard courts, where the high bounce favors his topspin arsenal. He responded by varying his one–two patterns, mixing crosscourt backhands with down-the-line passes that exploited Maestrelli’s inexperience, turning defense into a 5-2 decider edge. The Rod Laver Arena faithful felt the shift, their cheers swelling as he smacked the final point after a long groundstroke from the Italian, underscoring how such rebounds define his 24 major triumphs.

At 38, with the tour’s next generation pressing, every point carries the weight of legacy versus longevity. Djokovic’s adjustments—quicker footwork to handle the surface’s pace, selective net rushes to disrupt serves—keep him ahead in a season demanding precision. This win, his first service game dropped all tournament, only heightens the mental edge as he eyes reclaiming the Australian Open crown from recent challengers.

Third-round test on familiar ground

Ahead lies Botic Van De Zandschulp, who outlasted Shang Juncheng 7-6 (6), 6-2, 6-3 with steady baseline grinding that suits Melbourne’s medium speed. The Dutchman’s flat backhands could probe Djokovic’s down-the-line returns, but the Serb’s tactical depth—layering slice serves with inside-in forehands—should neutralize any upset threat. As he nears that 400th win, the matchup promises a tactical chess game where experience trumps raw power.

Elsewhere, the draw crackles with momentum. Eighth-seeded Ben Shelton, last year’s semifinalist, overpowered Australian qualifier Dane Sweeny 6-3, 6-2, 6-2, his lefty serve booming past 130 mph after Sweeny stunned the 39-year-old Gael Monfils in the opener. Fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti edged compatriot Lorenzo Sonego 6-3, 6-3, 6-4, blending drop shots with angles that danced on the court’s edges.

Night lights for Sinner’s title chase

As shadows lengthen, Jannik Sinner takes the Rod Laver stage against local wild card James Duckworth, the world No. 1 pushing for a third straight Australian Open amid home-crowd pressure. Sinner’s flat power thrives here, but Duckworth’s tenacity could force early adjustments under the lights. For Djokovic, these ripples in the field sharpen his focus, each victory a step toward etching his name deeper into Melbourne’s history.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.