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01/22 02:17 CST Djokovic's 399th Grand Slam match win propels him into
Australian Open third round
Djokovic's 399th Grand Slam match win propels him into Australian Open third
round
By JOHN PYE
AP Sports Writer
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) --- Novak Djokovic dropped a service game for the
first time in this Australian Open and didn't lose another point against
Francesco Maestrelli, advancing to the third round with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win.
It was Djokovic's 399th win in a Grand Slam singles match, leaving the 24-time
major just one more to be the first player ever to reach 400. He next faces
Botic Van de Zandschulp, who beat Shang Juncheng 7-6 (6), 6-2, 6-3.
The break of serve, in the sixth game of the third set Thursday, was almost
like Djokovic was doing a rehearsal for later matches. He followed a second
serve to the net but then missed the volley to give it up.
It stung the 38-year-old Djokovic, a noted perfectionist. He broke Maestrelli
at love in the next game to take a 5-2 lead, smacking the last ball into the
net after the Italian, ranked No. 141, hit a groundstroke long.
Djokovic is in Australia seeking an 11th title at Melbourne Park and a 25th
major overall, which would make him the most decorated tennis player of all
time.
He said he took extra time out in the offseason and fine-tuned some skills as
he chases the bigger goals.
"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 said.
"That's the kind of mentality I try to nurture. It's been allowing to me play
at the highest level at this age."
On John Cain Arena later on a windy Day 5, Iga ?wi?tek had a 6-2, 6-3 win over
Marie Bouzkova and said she's been trying to take lessons from Djokovic's
attitude to sustained success and longevity.
"It's good to look at people like that and find inspiration," the No. 2-ranked
Swiatek said. A six-time major winner, Swiatek is in Australia bidding to
complete a career Grand Slam.
"For sure I've got to learn to appreciate every single match," she said.
Keys to success Defending champion Madison Keys was down a double break in the second set before rallying to beat fellow American Ashlyn Krueger 6-1, 7-5. "Once I kind of got back momentum I just tried to sink my teeth into the set," Keys said of the second set. Melbourne is where Keys made her Grand Slam breakthrough 12 months ago, and throughout her entire trip back so far, people have been asking her how confident she is about defending a major for the first time. "The emotions are maybe just, like, a little bit more heightened," she said. "I think 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 figured it out." Besides, she told the crowd in her on-court interview, winning the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup last year will always remain a permanent highlight. "That was such an amazing experience and nobody can take that away from me," she said. "Whether or not I do repeat it, I still get to keep Daphne at home!" Keys will next face former No. 1-ranked Karolina Plskov, who had a 6-4, 6-4 win over Janice Tjen of Indonesia. The Czech player had just three matches last year after recovering from ankle surgery following the 2024 U.S. Open. Two other highly-ranked U.S. women advanced in the same tough quarter of the draw, with No. 4 Amanda Anisimova fending off doubles champion Katerina Siniakova 6-1, 6-4 in a raucous atmosphere on Margaret Court Arena, and sixth-seeded Jessica Pegula having a 6-0, 6-2 win over McCartney Kessler, her doubles partner. Anisimova, who has been runner-up at the last two major tournaments, will play fellow American Peyton Stearns. Pegula will next face Oksana Selekhmeteva, who upset 2025 semifinalist Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-4. Shelton advances Eighth-seeded Ben Shelton, a semifinalist here last year, reached the third round with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win over Dane Sweeny, the Australian qualifier who ended the 39-year-old Gael Monfils' farewell trip to Melbourne Park in the first round. More on Day 5 Jannik Sinner will continue his bid for a third straight Australian title when he takes on local wild-card entry James Duckworth in the first night match on Rod Laver Arena. Two-time Australian Open winner Naomi Osaka, who made a grand entrance in her opening match, will take on Sorana Cirstea on Margaret Court Arena. Before the start of the night session, spectators were asked to join in a moment of silence to remember the 15 people killed in the Bondi Beach terror attack last month. It was designated a "National Day of Mourning" in Australia on Thursday for the deaths, and signs in Rod Laver and Margaret Court Arena highlighted the message: "Light Will Win." ___ More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis |
