How Did Djokovic, Musetti, and Shelton Secure Their Easy Wins at the Aus Open?
Synopsis
On the fifth day of the Australian Open, top players Novak Djokovic, Lorenzo Musetti, and Ben Shelton achieved effortless victories in their second-round matches. Djokovic is on the verge of a historic milestone, while Musetti and Shelton continue to impress as they aim for deeper runs in the tournament.
Key Takeaways
Djokovic continues strong in the tournament.
Musetti shows promise with impressive wins.
Shelton dominates his matches with powerful serving.
All players are on a path to significant milestones.
The next rounds are crucial for their championship aspirations.
Melbourne, Jan 22 (NationPress) The former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, along with Lorenzo Musetti and Ben Shelton, secured straightforward straight-sets victories during their second-round matches at the Australian Open on the fifth day of this year's first Grand Slam event.
Djokovic triumphed over qualifier Francesco Maestrelli with a score of 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 at the Rod Laver Arena. Meanwhile, Musetti dispatched Lorenzo Sonego with a score of 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 during the opening session at Margaret Court Arena. Shelton also faced a qualifier, Dane Sweeny, and matched Djokovic's score at the John Cain Arena.
The ten-time champion Djokovic completed his match in 2 hours and 15 minutes, showcasing precise movement and solid ball striking, indicating his strong form early in the tournament.
Now, Djokovic is just one win away from achieving his 400th career victory at the Grand Slam level. A win against either Botic van de Zandschulp or Shang Juncheng in the next round would make him the first player ever to reach this milestone.
Van de Zandschulp notably upset Djokovic last year at the ATP Masters 1000 event held in Indian Wells, while Djokovic has not yet faced Shang.
Competing at Melbourne Park for the 21st time, Djokovic is on track to potentially meet Musetti in the quarter-finals, with a possible semi-final showdown against two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner.
Musetti's win over fellow Italian Sonego marked his best performance at this major tournament. The fifth seed created 23 break chances, successfully converting six of them.
This 23-year-old Italian will now go up against either the 31st seed Stefanos Tsitsipas or Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic.
Shelton confidently handled the expectations, delivering a commanding performance against World No. 182 Sweeny. He took an early lead, winning the first set 6-3, followed by a nearly flawless second set, hitting nine aces and winning every service point in a swift 26-minute 6-2 rout.
Despite Sweeny's brief resurgence in the third set, Shelton elevated his game once more, winning five consecutive games to seal a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory. The American concluded the match with 19 aces and 38 winners, preparing to face 30th seed Valentin Vacherot in the next round.
Point of View
It's essential to highlight the remarkable performances showcased by Djokovic, Musetti, and Shelton. With each advancing in the Australian Open, the excitement builds as they aim for high stakes in the upcoming rounds. This is a pivotal moment in the tournament for these athletes, and we will continue to follow their journeys closely.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the match results for Djokovic, Musetti, and Shelton?
Djokovic defeated Francesco Maestrelli 6-3, 6-2, 6-2, Musetti won against Lorenzo Sonego 6-3, 6-3, 6-4, and Shelton triumphed over Dane Sweeny 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
What milestone is Djokovic approaching?
Djokovic is one victory away from achieving his 400th career win at the Grand Slam level.
Who might Djokovic face next?
Djokovic could face Botic van de Zandschulp or Shang Juncheng in the next round.
How did Shelton perform in his match?
Shelton displayed a dominant performance, hitting 19 aces and 38 winners against Sweeny.
What are Musetti's next match challenges?
Musetti will face either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Tomas Machac in his next match.
