Djokovic advances in Australian Open with commanding victory
Novak Djokovic swept past Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli in commanding fashion on Thursday, recording a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 triumph at the Australian Open, but his demeanour following the contest bemused John McEnroe, reports BritPanorama.
The Serbian star conceded just seven games throughout the encounter, claiming his 399th career victory at Grand Slam level. This marks the first occasion since 2019 that the world number three has progressed through the opening two rounds in Melbourne without surrendering a set.
Djokovic broke his opponent’s serve early in the opening set before attacking twice more in the second, while remaining impeccable on his own delivery. He will now face Botic van de Zandschulp in the third round on Saturday.
McEnroe observed that Djokovic appeared somewhat unsettled despite the straightforward nature of his victory. The US tennis legend commented, “He looked a little irritable for some reason. I’m not quite sure why, because it was never close.” Although he acknowledged this performance ranked among the less impressive displays he has witnessed from the Serbian, he stressed it was ultimately inconsequential given the outcome.
Concerns persist about whether Djokovic can replicate this sharpness in the tournament’s latter stages, particularly following last year’s semi-final withdrawal against Alexander Zverev due to a torn muscle. The 38-year-old had not competed since early November, having pulled out of the Adelaide International over fitness worries.
Boris Becker offered a markedly different perspective on the Serbian’s prospects in Melbourne. He stated, “Everything is going perfectly for him,” adding that Djokovic seemed notably at ease following his second-round success, in contrast to McEnroe’s assessment of the 24-time Grand Slam winner’s demeanour.
While Djokovic’s history of fatigue at major tournaments has raised eyebrows, Becker suggested this pattern appears to have shifted. He explained, “His problem at previous Grand Slams was always that he was already physically exhausted before the semi-finals. That doesn’t seem to be the case at the moment.”
Djokovic expressed satisfaction with his display when speaking to TNT Sports’ Laura Robson after the match. He noted, “I’m glad it’s coming along. In the first couple of matches, you’re always kind of testing yourself, your body, seeing how you feel.” The Serbian emphasized his eagerness to return to competitive action after being off for over two months, acknowledging the challenging conditions in Melbourne, particularly the extreme wind. “It took me a little bit of time to kind of get used to the pace, but overall, it was a solid performance,” he concluded.
As the tournament progresses, it remains to be seen if Djokovic can maintain this level through to the later rounds. With history at stake, each match not only tests his skills but also reveals the subtle complexities of a champion navigating the pressures of expectation.
