Djokovic's 399th Grand Slam Victory Seals Australian Open Third Round Spot
Novak Djokovic has progressed to the third round of the Australian Open following a commanding victory over Francesco Maestrelli, marking his 399th win in Grand Slam singles matches. The 38-year-old Serbian star triumphed with a score of 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 on Thursday, showcasing his enduring prowess on the court.
Historic Milestone Within Reach
This significant win places Djokovic just one victory away from becoming the first player in history to achieve 400 Grand Slam singles wins. Despite dropping a service game for the first time in this tournament during the third set, Djokovic responded emphatically, breaking Maestrelli at love in the subsequent game to secure a 5-2 lead. The Italian, ranked 141st globally, ultimately succumbed to Djokovic's relentless pressure.
Djokovic, known for his perfectionist approach, expressed his commitment to continuous improvement. "When I have more time, then I obviously try to look at my game and different elements that I can really improve. Otherwise, what’s the point?" he remarked. "That’s the kind of mentality I try to nurture. It’s been allowing me to play at the highest level at this age."
Other Notable Matches and Tributes
In other action, Stan Wawrinka, the 2014 Australian Open champion, made history by becoming the first man over 40 to reach the third round of a major since 1978. The 40-year-old, 310-day-old Swiss player staged a remarkable comeback to defeat 21-year-old qualifier Arthur Gea 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (3) in a marathon match lasting four and a half hours.
Defending champion Jannik Sinner continued his pursuit of an Australian Open three-peat with a swift 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 victory over James Duckworth, completing the match in under two hours. Sinner's prime-time night slot on Rod Laver Arena resulted in Djokovic being scheduled for an afternoon session, a change that did little to disrupt the Serbian's focus.
On the women's side, Iga Świątek secured a 6-2, 6-3 win over Marie Bouzkova and acknowledged drawing inspiration from Djokovic's longevity. "It’s good to look at people like that and find inspiration," said the world number two. "For sure I've got to learn to appreciate every single match."
Naomi Osaka edged past Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in a tense encounter on Margaret Court Arena, with the pair exchanging minimal pleasantries post-match. Meanwhile, defending champion Madison Keys rallied from a double break down in the second set to overcome fellow American Ashlyn Krueger 6-1, 7-5.
Keys reflected on the heightened emotions of defending a major title: "The emotions are maybe just, like, a little bit more heightened. In those tough kind of moments like today, getting down in that second set, just kind of reminding yourself that you have been here before, you figure it out."
American Contenders Advance
Several highly ranked American women made strong progress in a competitive quarter of the draw. Fourth-seeded Amanda Anisimova defeated doubles champion Katerina Siniakova 6-1, 6-4 in a lively atmosphere on Margaret Court Arena. Sixth-seeded Jessica Pegula dominated McCartney Kessler 6-0, 6-2, while eighth-seeded Ben Shelton advanced to the third round with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win over Australian qualifier Dane Sweeny.
Before the night session commenced, spectators observed a moment of silence to honour the 15 victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack last month. Designated a "National Day of Mourning" in Australia, the arenas at Melbourne Park displayed messages affirming "Light Will Win."
Djokovic now sets his sights on an 11th Australian Open title and a record 25th major overall, which would cement his status as the most decorated tennis player in history. His journey continues as he navigates the challenges of the tournament with unwavering determination and skill.
