Melbourne: Novak Djokovic has continued the Australian Open campaign with a dominant performance, underlining the focus on efficiency and physical management at the age of 38.
The Serb great has entered the tournament knowing that careful energy conservation remains essential after facing injury concerns during major tournaments in recent seasons. With a historic 25th Grand Slam title in sight, Djokovic has aimed to finish matches quickly and avoid unnecessary strain in the opening rounds.
Novak Djokovic has dropped only seven games in a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli, producing another composed display on a warm Melbourne afternoon. The performance has followed an identical scoreline win against Spain’s Pedro Martinez in the first round, marking the first time since 2023 that Djokovic has completed the opening two rounds at Melbourne Park without losing a set.
Novak Djokovic has been mindful of previous physical setbacks that disrupted campaigns in 2025, including a leg injury that ended an Australian Open semi-final run, a hip problem at Wimbledon, and fatigue during the US Open. Those experiences have shaped the approach to reducing court time early in tournaments. The strategy has so far paid dividends, with strong service games and controlled baseline dominance ensuring swift progress.
The second-round match showcased impressive serving statistics, with Novak Djokovic winning 86 percent of points behind the first serve and saving four of the five break points faced. Although the serve has not been quite as explosive as in the opening match, consistency and precision have allowed steady control throughout rallies.
Novak Djokovic now stands on the brink of another milestone, with a third-round win over Botic van de Zandschulp set to become the 400th Grand Slam singles victory of the career. No other player in the Open era has achieved this feat, underlining longevity and sustained excellence.
The potential path forward also presents high-profile challenges, with Carlos Alcaraz unable to be faced before the final and a possible semi-final clash against two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner still looming.
The Australian Open campaign has therefore continued to balance ambition and caution. Novak Djokovic has demonstrated controlled aggression, efficient point construction, and tactical maturity while building towards decisive matches later in the tournament. The early dominance in Melbourne has reinforced belief that the historic Grand Slam record remains firmly within reach.
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