Novak Djokovic vs Francesco Maestrelli Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Djokovic set for routine second round win

Andrew Hendrie

Editor

Last updated: Wed 21 Jan 2026 09:57

Andrew Hendrie 21 Jan 2026

Share this article

Novak Djokovic vs Francesco Maestrelli predictions for Thursday's Australian Open R2
Djokovic is 80-1 vs players outside the top 100 at Grand Slam level
Maestrelli has never faced anyone inside the top 50 before
The match is scheduled to start around 1.30pm AEDT on Thursday January 22

Expired

Novak Djokovic (Photo by Getty Images)

Novak Djokovic vs Francesco Maestrelli Tips, Prediction & Live Stream

Novak Djokovic will be looking to replicate his brilliant opening round performance when he faces Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli for a spot in the Australian Open third round on Thursday night.

Novak Djokovic vs Francesco Maestrelli Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Djokovic vs Maestrelli Stats & Trends
Djokovic vs Maestrelli Head To Head
Novak Djokovic Form Analysis
Francesco Maestrelli Form Analysis
Djokovic vs Maestrelli Live Stream

It was a triumphant return to Melbourne Park for Djokovic in his opening round, with the record 10-time champion celebrating his 100th match win at the Australian Open with a straight sets demolition of Pedro Martinez. There was some uncertainty surrounding Djokovic's fitness after he pulled out of Adelaide, but the 38-year-old was in scintillating form, firing 49 winners and dropping just seven games. Djokovic will have his sights set on chasing down Roger Federer's overall match win record at the Australian Open of 102.

Grand Slam Tournament	Djokovic W/L Record
Australian Open	100-10
Roland Garros	101-14
Wimbledon	102-13
US Open	95-15

And what a moment this is for Maestrelli, who will be facing a top 50 player for the very first time in his career - let alone a top 10 opponent and the GOAT in Djokovic inside Rod Laver Arena during a prime-time night session. The Italian is a player on the rise and a great chance to crack the top 100 shortly, but if Djokovic from the first round shows up, this should be another swift victory for the 24-time major champion. Djokovic has only ever lost one match at Grand Slam level to players outside the top 100 and that almost certainly doesn't change on Thursday night - Maestrelli Under 10.5 games is the main play in a match that offers little value.

Djokovic vs Maestrelli Stats & Trends

Djokovic is 81-1 vs players outside the top 100 at Grand Slam level
Djokovic has won 100 of his 110 matches at the Australian Open
Djokovic is 17-1 in Australian Open second round matches
Djokovic has allowed Under 10.5 games in three of his last four matches at slam level vs players outside the top 100
Djokovic has allowed Under 10.5 total games in 12 of his last 17 Australian Open matches vs players outside the top 70
Maestrelli has never faced a top 50 player in his career & featuring in his first slam main draw

Djokovic vs Maestrelli Head To Head

This will be the first career meeting between the pair.

Novak Djokovic Form Analysis

2026 Record: 1-0
2025 Record: 37-10
Australian Open Record: 100-10
Grand Slam Record: 398-55
Current Ranking: No. 4
Career-High Ranking: No. 1 (2011)

Djokovic has made his priorities unmistakably clear, structuring his schedule around the Grand Slams and managing his workload carefully as he continues the pursuit of a historic 25th major title.

Even with a reduced calendar, Djokovic remained a consistent presence at the sport’s biggest events in 2025, reaching the semi-finals of all four majors. However, his bid for titles was disrupted by a hamstring injury that forced his retirement at the Australian Open, before defeats to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz brought his remaining Grand Slam runs to an end.

While it fell short of his own lofty standards, the season was not without success. Djokovic collected two ATP titles, securing the 100th championship of his career in Geneva before closing the year with victory in Athens.

After withdrawing from Adelaide, there was some concern for Djokovic's chances of going on another deep run at the Australian Open, but the 10-time champion emphatically erased any doubt over his fitness with a superb 6-3 6-2 6-2 victory over Pedro Martinez in the opening round, firing 49 winners to notch up his 100th win at Melbourne Park.

Francesco Maestrelli Form Analysis

2026 Record: 1-0
2025 Record: 0-0
Australian Open Record: 1-0
Grand Slam Record: 1-0
Current Ranking: No. 141
Career-High Ranking: No. 137 (January 2026)

Maestrelli is breaking new ground to launch 2026 and is now rewarded with facing the greatest tennis player of all time on Rod Laver Arena.

The 23-year-old had never won a match at tour-level before upsetting Terence Atmane 6-4 3-6 6-7(4) 6-1 6-1 in his opening round. Earlier, Maestrelli had conquered Lorenzo Guistino, Thiago Seyboth Wild and Dusan Lajovic to successfully qualify for his first Grand Slam main draw.

It was on the Challenger Tour where Maestrelli from outside the top 300 in May to a current mark of No. 141. The Italian registered a 40-23 record, winning three titles and beating Shanghai Masters champion Valentin Vacherot in one of them.

Still, there wasn't really any indication this sort of run in Melbourne was coming - Maestrelli's last tournament before qualifying resulted in a 6-0 6-3 defeat to the World No. 248 in Hong Kong qualifying.

Djokovic vs Maestrelli Live Stream

Watch and bet on Novak Djokovic vs Francesco Maestrelli live Australian Open tennis.

You can watch and bet on the match live at Unibet > Tennis > Australian Open with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.

Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access. 18+ terms and conditions apply.

Verdict

Novak Djokovic v Francesco Maestrelli

Djokovic is tipped for a repeat of his opening round, making light work of the Italian qualifier ranked outside the top 140.

Maestrelli Under 10.5

Player Total Games

$1.70 - 3 Units

The GOAT.

Ahead of the Game.

Join Australia's newest online bookmaker with code BETSAU and enjoy exciting new ways to bet. The app is among the fastest in the market. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at betr