MELBOURNE — In a day that balanced effortless authority with gritty resilience, Novak Djokovic and Madison Keys booked their spots in the third round of the 2026 Australian Open with contrasting but equally effective performances at Melbourne Park. The Serbian legend showcased veteran efficiency in straight sets against an Italian qualifier, while the defending women’s champion weathered a mid-match wobble before rallying to close out her clash.
Djokovic’s Measured March
Routine Yet Remarkable
Novak Djokovic arrived at Rod Laver Arena on Thursday with history in sight and dispatching qualifying players part of his long-established Slam ritual. The 38-year-old Serbian overpowered Italy’s Francesco Maestrelli 6-3, 6-2, 6-2, advancing with controlled precision rather than dramatic flair.
This win marked Djokovic’s 399th Grand Slam match victory, leaving him just one shy of the elusive 400-win milestone — a first in the Open Era.
Djokovic’s experience in these moments was evident from the outset. Facing no shortage of pressure, even against a lower-ranked rival, he never allowed the match to balloon into a tussle he couldn’t manage. Instead, his performance carried the hallmark of someone very much in command — measured service games, clean baseline exchanges, and aggressive precision whenever opportunities arose.
Tactical Calm
Djokovic’s approach was anything but flashy. He barely needed to dip into top gear, instead relying on wealth of experience and strategic depth to manage rallies and dictate play. The baseline exchanges were punctuated by his signature retrieving ability — transforming defense into offence with remarkable efficiency.
Then there was the serve — often underappreciated in its simplicity but consistently effective. Djokovic used placement and variety to keep Maestrelli uncomfortable, gaining quick points when required without overreaching.
Importantly, Djokovic preserved energy — a priority in Melbourne where temperatures can soar and the draw remains deep with threats at every turn. While this might have been a second-round match on paper, his methodical performance suggested focus fixed firmly on the weeks ahead.
Big Numbers, Bigger Ambitions
Djokovic’s achievement here wasn’t just another routine third-round ticket punched. It was a continuation of a legacy few would have predicted possible at this stage of his career:
- 10 Australian Open titles already in his cabinet, more than any other man in history.
- A shot at his 25th Grand Slam title, which would extend his record in the modern era.
- A perfect Grand Slam record against qualifiers now intact — stretching his dominance to 37-0 in such matchups.
That blend of dominating the record books and making even routine victories feel meaningful keeps Djokovic at the forefront of every conversation about greatness in tennis.
Keys Finds Rhythm After Early Tension
Early Control, Mid-Match Turbulence
Across the courts at John Cain Arena, Madison Keys experienced a different kind of challenge. The ninth-seeded American, defending her title from last year, started her second-round match with ruthless intensity — racing through the first set 6-1 against fellow American Ashlyn Krueger. Her serve was firing and forehand aggression kept Krueger under pressure from the outset.
But the momentum shifted sharply in the second set. Unforced errors and a series of double faults handed Krueger a two-break lead, and suddenly Keys, a player known for her power, found herself scrambling to stay ahead.
Composure Under Fire
Where this match could have slipped into chaos, Keys showcased a vital blend of mental toughness and tactical poise. After falling behind 2-5, she refocused — tightening up her serve, picking her spots more judiciously, and applying pressure early in rallies rather than chasing quick winners.
That resilience paid off. Keys rattled off five consecutive games to seize back control and close the match 7-5.
Her victory wasn’t spotless, nor was it simple — but it was telling. As defending champion, the stakes were magnified, and Keys handled the ebbs and flows with a veteran’s awareness. Her acknowledgment post-match of Krueger’s resurgence — and her own adjustment — highlighted a player comfortable in the gritty moments that define Slam tennis.
A Narrative of Growth
Keys’ journey in Melbourne this year has been one of progressive confidence. Her first-round win earlier in the tournament wasn’t without its challenges, and this second-round scare underscored an interesting mix of potent offense and the occasional lapse that still creeps into her game.
That blend — big-ball aggression tempered with growing mental sharpness — could be the key to navigating deeper rounds where matches are not decided by power alone.
What’s Next in Melbourne
Up Next for Djokovic
Looking ahead, Djokovic’s next opponent will likely be one of the players emerging from a tightly contested section of the draw, with names like Botic van de Zandschulp or Shang Juncheng in the frame. Each presents a unique puzzle — one reliant on consistency, the other on flair — but neither will lack for confidence when facing a legend with a target on his back.
How Djokovic manages his energy and intensity in what could be hotter conditions later in the week will be as fascinating as the matches themselves.
Keys’ Potential Path
For Keys, the third round brings a familiar face in Karolina Pliskova, a seasoned campaigner with her own blend of power and experience. A rematch of styles — big serves, baseline artillery, and patience in rhythm — could define whether Keys’ Melbourne title defense gains steam or hits another speed bump.
Fine Margins and Growing Stories
In sport, not all wins look the same — and at this Australian Open, Djokovic and Keys delivered contrasting but revealing performances that underscore their current trajectories.
Djokovic’s 599th (typo, it was 399th) Slam victory was a masterclass in control and efficiency. Keys’ dogged recovery after mid-match adversity highlighted a blend of talent and psychological growth that often distinguishes champions from contenders in the latter stages of majors.
As the heat builds — both literally and competitively — Melbourne Park is shaping into a fascinating crucible of experience, ambition, and evolving form. And through it all, these two champions continue to write fresh chapters in careers that already resonate deeply in tennis lore.
