Maestrelli v Djokovic: Is Nole in for an easy second round? 
Novak Djokovic keeps rolling at the Australian Open. For his 19th trip into a second round in Melbourne, the Serb faces Italy’s Francesco Maestrelli, a surprise qualifier in what looks on paper like a very one-sided match.
Maestrelli — already a tournament to remember 
For Francesco Maestrelli this week has been a different story entirely. He slogged through three qualifying rounds before the main draw, then survived a five-set war in round one, finishing with a one-way final set against Terence Atmane.
The Italian plays with no fear — big serve, willingness to go for his shots. He piled up aces and hit through the court, sometimes absolutely hammered it. That aggressive style has a flip side: heaps of errors. Probably too many to stay level with someone like Djokovic for long.
This second-round clash is already the biggest match of his career. Against a giant like this, the aim is simple: enjoy it, and try to stay in it as long as possible.
Djokovic — surgical and ice-cold as ever 
On his opening match Djokovic left zero doubt. Pedro Martinez barely existed — swept aside in three quick sets. Along the way the Serb hit a milestone: 100 wins at the Australian Open, a number that says everything about his history with this event.
On court he showed no rust. Solid serve, smooth movement, perfect control of the rallies. Fourteen aces, almost no loose points, a first serve that did real damage. At that level he doesn’t need fireworks. He picks his moments, waits for the mistake, then grinds you down.
Since 2007 only one player has knocked him out in the second round here. So yes, flukes happen — but they’re rare.
A gap that’s hard to close
Maestrelli can rely on his serve to avoid a quick blowout. But over the course of a match, consistency, clutch play and tactical reading tilt heavily toward the Serb. Djokovic knows when to hit the gas, when to slow it down, and how to smother a player who lives off instinct.
For an upset you need a near-perfect day from the Italian. Against Djokovic in Melbourne, that sort of day is a rare thing.
Tennis Prediction Maestrelli vs Djokovic
Djokovic to win in three sets
Maestrelli has already beaten expectations and enjoyed a great story this week. But up against a Djokovic this composed and precise, the gap should show quickly. The Serb should reach the 3rd round without hanging around on court tomorrow.
Photo credits: ATP
____
First, a word on our predictions
What we publish on Mathodds are analyses, nothing more. We give an opinion, a snapshot of the moment, not a guarantee. Sport is what it is: unpredictable. A red card, an injury, a freak goal — and the whole script changes.
Let’s be clear: there is no risk-free bet. Even when something looks “obvious”, it rarely is. And yes, that means you can lose. It will happen at some point.
The smart move is to stay reasonable. Bet small, set a budget and stick to it. Don’t touch money you need to live on. And don’t chase losses — that rarely ends well.
Betting should stay a pastime, not a job or a source of income. If it starts to take over, if it’s annoying or putting you under pressure, take a break. And if needed, talk to a specialist. That’s what they’re there for.
Ultimately, the responsibility is yours. Reading our content means you accept that risk exists and it won’t disappear, even with the best analysis in the world.
Essential reminder: betting is forbidden to minors and must comply with the laws in your country. Gambling can spiral out of control (financial losses, family tension, addiction). Need help? Players Info Service: 09 74 75 13 13 (non-surcharged call) https://www.gambleaware.org/.
No commitment from us
Our predictions are not a contract. They carry no legal weight. In short: you can’t rely on them to make any legal claim if a bet loses.
Information can change
A prediction is based on what we know when we write. Between then and the event a lineup might change, a player can get injured, the weather can turn — and the analysis becomes outdated. We can’t be held responsible for that.
Your role
Before you bet, check that betting is legal where you live. If it’s not, that’s on you, not us.
Responsible gambling above all
We’ll say it again: gamble responsibly. If you struggle to keep control, seek help. We are not responsible for compulsive or excessive use of the information published on this site.
Legal age
Mathodds content is intended for adults only. By browsing here you confirm you are of the legal age to bet.
About the visuals
The images of Maestrelli and Djokovic on Mathodds, including those from ATP tournaments, are there to illustrate our articles only. They do not imply any official link with a federation or sports organisation, and we claim no rights over them.
Those rights belong to the original creators. If, despite our vigilance, an image raises an issue, contact us and it will be removed without delay.
Our only aim with these images is to make the reading more pleasant. Nothing more. No commercial gain, no taking credit for someone else’s work.
Leave a Reply