MELBOURNE, Australia — Novak Djokovic did not lose one other level towards Francesco Mastrelli after dropping his service recreation for the primary time this Australian Open, profitable 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 on Thursday to advance to the third spherical.
This was Djokovic’s 399th win in a Grand Slam singles match, and the 24-time main champion is now one step away from turning into the primary participant to succeed in 400 wins.
The break of service within the sixth recreation of the third set appeared like a rehearsal for the match that may comply with. He aimed his second serve into the web, however missed the volley and gave up.
It stung for the 38-year-old Djokovic, who is named a perfectionist. Within the subsequent match, he beat Mastrelli at like to take a 5-2 lead, with the 141st-ranked Italian hitting the ultimate ball into the web after an extended stroke.
He stored Love on an 8-point roll to finish the match. Djokovic is in Australia aiming for his eleventh title at Melbourne Park and his twenty fifth main title, making him probably the most embellished tennis participant in historical past.
“I did not know a lot about him till yesterday,” Djokovic stated of the 23-year-old Mastrelli, who made his Grand Slam foremost draw debut after qualifying. “Nonetheless, there may be at all times respect. I by no means underestimate anybody.
“He has a giant serve. He has a giant recreation. He lacks expertise on the massive stage, however he has the power to take his recreation to a excessive stage.”
Within the third spherical, Djokovic will face Botic van de Zantsschulp, who defeated Xiang Junchen 7-6 (6), 6-2, 6-3.
Fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti defeated fellow Italian Lorenzo Sonego 6-3, 6-3, 6-4.
In a while Thursday, Jannik Sinner will proceed his bid for a 3rd consecutive Australian title when he takes on native wildcard James Duckworth within the first evening’s match at Rod Laver Enviornment.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
