Novak Djokovic is on the cusp of tennis history, and he's making it look easy! He cruised into the third round of the Australian Open, but not without a minor hiccup that might actually be a good sign for the challenges ahead.
ESPN News Services reported on January 22, 2026, that Djokovic handily defeated Francesco Maestrelli in straight sets: 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. This victory brings Djokovic's Grand Slam singles win total to a staggering 399. He's now just one win away from becoming the first player ever to reach 400 Grand Slam victories. Think about that for a second – 400 wins at the highest level of the sport!
Djokovic's dominance wasn't completely without drama. In the sixth game of the third set, he uncharacteristically dropped a service game – his first of the entire tournament! He approached the net after a second serve, but then missed the volley, handing the game to Maestrelli. It appeared to be a momentary lapse, almost like a practice run for dealing with adversity in later, more crucial matches. This could be a blessing in disguise, a wake-up call to ensure he's fully focused for the tougher opponents to come.
And this is the part most people miss: Djokovic, a notorious perfectionist, clearly didn't appreciate the error. Fueled by this minor setback, he immediately broke Maestrelli's serve in the following game, taking a commanding 5-2 lead. The game ended with Djokovic smashing the ball into the net after Maestrelli, ranked No. 141, hit a groundstroke long. He then held serve at love, finishing the match with an eight-point streak.
Djokovic is currently in Melbourne with his sights set on an unprecedented 11th Australian Open title. More importantly, he is pursuing his 25th Grand Slam title overall. Achieving this would cement his place as the most decorated tennis player of all time, surpassing Margaret Court's record. The pressure is immense, but Djokovic seems to thrive under it.
"I didn't know much about him until yesterday," Djokovic admitted, speaking about the 23-year-old Maestrelli, who earned his spot in the main draw through qualifying, making his Grand Slam debut. "Nevertheless, respect is always there. I don't underestimate anyone."
Djokovic added, "He's got a big serve. He's got a big game. He's lacking experience on the big stage, but he's got the game to go high." It's a testament to Djokovic's character that he acknowledges his opponent's potential, even after a decisive victory.
In the third round, Djokovic will face Botic Van De Zandschulp, who defeated Shang Juncheng in a hard-fought match: 7-6 (6), 6-2, 6-3. This promises to be a more challenging encounter for Djokovic.
Other notable results include eighth-seeded Ben Shelton, a semifinalist at last year's Australian Open, advancing to the third round with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Australian qualifier Dane Sweeny. Sweeny had previously ended Gael Monfils' farewell appearance at Melbourne Park in the first round. Fifth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti also progressed, defeating fellow Italian Lorenzo Sonego 6-3, 6-3, 6-4.
Later on Thursday, Jannik Sinner, another strong contender, continued his quest for a third consecutive Australian Open title against local wild-card entry James Duckworth in the prime-time match on Rod Laver Arena.
But here's where it gets controversial... Some argue that Djokovic's dominance is almost too predictable. Does his consistent success make the sport less exciting, or does it elevate the standard of tennis to new heights? Is it more impressive to see someone consistently dominate, or do you prefer to see more upsets and variability in the results? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Who do you think poses the biggest threat to Djokovic's quest for his 25th Grand Slam title?
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
