Nature lover Novak Djokovic cruised through the third round of the Australian Open on Thursday as an erratic Madison Keys did enough to keep his title defense on track and Iga Swiatek also triumphed.
Men’s title holder Jannik Sinner is also in action later on day five at a sunny but cooler Melbourne Park, which was briefly silent in the evening in memory of the 15 people killed at Bondi Beach last month.
Djokovic dispatched 141st qualifier Francesco Maestrelli in straight sets at Rod Laver Arena.
The Serbian great is on his final mission to win a record 25th Grand Slam title and brushed aside the Italian 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
Djokovic will then face the Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp, 75th.
Djokovic is well known for his sometimes unusual preparations, including hugging a Brazilian fig tree at the Melbourne Botanic Gardens.
“He’s my oldest friend here in Melbourne,” said the 38-year-old former world number one, who has won 10 Australian Open titles, more than anyone in history.
“He was there to heal my wounds and give me company.
“We have a friendship that has lasted for over 20 years.”
Keys blew hot and cold before crossing the line 6-1, 7-5 against fellow American Ashlyn Krueger.
Keys, who upset Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s final, admitted after her labored first-round victory that she was a bundle of nerves and “too shy”.
The 29-year-old shook off the shackles in the first set against 92nd-ranked Krueger in just 23 minutes at John Cain Arena before having to come back from 2-5 down in the second.
“I started really well and Ash a little bit slow,” said Keys, who began her season with quarter-final eliminations in Brisbane and Adelaide.
“I really expected her to raise her level and she did. It took me away a little bit.”
She then meets the experienced Karolina Pliskova from the Czech Republic.
Ruthless Anisimova
In another all-American clash, sixth seed Jessica Pegula made easy work of doubles partner McCartney Kessler in a quick 6-0, 6-2 victory.
Another ruthless winner was fourth-seeded American Amanda Anisimova — 6-1, 6-4 over Czech Katerina Siniakova.
But 25th-seeded Spaniard Paula Badosa, who lost to Sabalenka in the semifinals a year ago, is eliminated after being stunned 6-4, 6-4 by 101st-seeded Russian Oksana Selekhmeteva.
Second seed Swiatek, who has won six major titles but never made it in Melbourne, was in cruise control against Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic.
“I try to enjoy every match and not take anything for granted,” the Pole said after a 6-2, 6-3 victory.
Former two-time champion Naomi Osaka, who made a grand entrance on Tuesday in a jellyfish-inspired outfit, plays Romania’s Sorana Cirstea.
Kazakh Elena Rybakina, seeded fifth, will also participate in the second round.
In the men’s event, fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti beat fellow Italian Lorenzo Sonego 6-3, 6-3, 6-4.
American Ben Shelton, seeded eighth, comfortably won 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 against Australian Dane Sweeny.
Other winners in the men’s draw included 15th seed Karen Khachanov of Russia and 16th seed Jakub Mensik of the Czech Republic.
Mensik, 20, beat Spaniard Rafael Jodar 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.
Sinner is trying to win a third consecutive Australian Open.
The Italian made it through the first round when his French opponent Hugo Gaston retired with Sinner leading 6-2, 6-1.
He will be the big favorite against Australian James Duckworth, 88th, but will have to face a partisan crowd at Rod Laver Arena.
