Novak Djokovic continued his dominant march at the Australian Open, cruising to a convincing second-round win over Francesco Maestrelli with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 scoreline. The 10-time Melbourne champion looked sharp in just his second match since capturing his 101st career tour-level title in Athens, moving fluidly and striking the ball cleanly in a promising early sign for his campaign.

The main storyline now shifts to Djokovic’s potential revenge mission, as he eyes a third-round clash against Dutchman Botic Van de Zandschulp - the same opponent who stunned him last year at Indian Wells. With their H2H scoreline tied at 1-1, Djokovic appears determined to settle unfinished business. 

Novak Djokovic, who claimed his 100th Australian Open match win in the opening round, now sits just one victory away from reaching a historic milestone - 400 career match wins at the Grand Slam level. A win in the third round against Van de Zandschulp would make him the first player in history to achieve the feat. Saturday’s match will also mark his 18th third-round appearance at Melbourne Park.

The looming shadow carries extra emotional weight, given Djokovic’s candid reflections following his three-set loss (2-6, 6-3, 1-6) to the Dutchman at the 2025 Indian Wells. At that time, the 38-year-old Serb had openly acknowledged his struggles.

“You know, things are different obviously for me the last couple of years. I've been struggling to play on the desired level. Every now and then, I have couple good tournaments, but mostly it's really a challenge. It's a struggle for me. I guess nothing can prepare you for that moment, in a sense. You have to experience it and try to deal with it in the best possible way.”

In that match, Novak Djokovic won just 29 percent of his second-serve points in that match, sprayed 14 forehand unforced errors, and failed to earn a break point in the first and third sets, a performance he described as unacceptable by his own elite standards.

But now, with the momentum building in Melbourne, Djokovic has a chance not only to chase history but also to rewrite a recent chapter that still lingers. But before entering that blockbuster duel, let’s first check out his comments after his second-round win.

What did Novak Djokovic say after securing his place comfortably in the third round of the 2026 AO?

Ranked 141st in the world, Francesco Maestrelli had expressed his excitement about facing Novak Djokovic before the match. He said it’s “one of the most exciting things of my life.” Despite the gulf in experience, Djokovic made it clear he approached the match with respect.

“I didn't know much about him until a few days ago - it happens more often than not these days. 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.”

He dropped just seven games in total. The 24-time Grand Slam champion maintained his flawless record against qualifiers and lucky losers, improving to an astonishing 37-0, the best such record in the men’s Open Era.

Although his serve wasn’t as explosive as in the first round, Novak Djokovic still won 86% of his first-serve points and saved four of the five break points he faced. He also highlighted how shifting match conditions have tested his adaptability.

“It did feel like two completely different tournaments playing at night [round one] and day today, particularly with the wind that I think has been blowing this year more than any other year that I've been playing here in Australia. I have to adjust to that and adapt to a different opponent with a big serve, but overall it's good. I'm pleased with the way I'm moving and hitting the ball.”

With his sharp movements and confidence building gradually with each of these wins, Djokovic looks firmly on track for another deep Melbourne run. Last year, he reached the SF. How far do you think he can reach this time, though?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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