Novak Djokovic Vs Francesco Maestrelli, Australian Open 2nd Round Highlights: Serbian Star Downs Italian Counterpart

Good morning, tennis fans! This is the start of our live blog covering Novak Djokovic’s second-round match against Francesco Maestrelli. Stay tuned for pre-match updates as they come in.

• Date: Thursday, January 22nd

• Time: 8:00AM (IST) onwards

• Court: Rod Laver Arena

• How to watch: Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV app/website

There is no prior professional history between Novak Djokovic and Francesco Maestrelli. Today's second-round match at the 2026 Australian Open is their first-ever meeting.

Maestrelli is playing in his first-ever Grand Slam main draw, while Djokovic is chasing a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.

And we are underway for the first set of this second round Men's singles match. Novak Djokovic serves up first and wins the first game with a sensational ace.

Maestrelli continues to struggle with consistency, handing Djokovic a triple game point at 40-0. A lucky return winner provides a brief moment of relief for the Italian, but it's only a delay. Djokovic remains untouchable on his opening delivery, winning 13 of his first 15 points behind the first serve.

Djokovic earns triple set point following a well-placed ace and sloppy errors from the Italian. Maestrelli shows his teeth to save two, first with a searing backhand winner and then by out-muscling Djokovic in a baseline exchange.

However, any hopes of a comeback are extinguished at 40-30. Despite failing to convert six prior opportunities, Djokovic stays ice-cold, firing an ace to clinch the first set

Novak Djokovic is all over his Italian counterpart here as the Serbian closes in on winning the 3rd game of set number 2.

Djokovic (40) 2-1 (40)Maestrelli

Novak Djokovic is finding it way too easy at the moment against Francesco Maestrelli as he continues to dominate in the 2nd set as well

Djokovic holds to 30 to comfortably pocket the second set. While there were flashes of the 10-time champion shifting into a higher gear toward the end of the set, the performance remains remarkably composed. It’s a low-intensity, high-control display from the Serb as he moves one step closer to the third round.

Maestrelli is proving to be of no competition for Djokovic as he scores 40-0 and needs another mistake from the Italian to seal victory in the 5th game and he does.

The Serbian is another win away from entering round 3.

3rd set: Djokovic 5-2 Maestrelli.

It was a masterclass in efficiency from the 38-year-old, who offered only rare flashes of his peak brilliance because, quite frankly, nothing more was required.

Novak Djokovic did exactly what was necessary to dispatch a player appearing in just his second Grand Slam main draw. While far more grueling challenges lie ahead in the draw, Djokovic will be pleased to have handled this modest assignment with such clinical ease.