Defending champions Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys continue their title defences, while Novak Djokovic resumes his quest for a record 25th Grand Slam
DEFENDING champions Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys aim to avoid major upsets as the Australian Open second round concludes.
Novak Djokovic also resumes his bid for a record 25th Grand Slam crown on day five at Melbourne Park.
Second seed Sinner, seeking a third consecutive title, will be a strong favourite against Australian James Duckworth.
He must face a partisan home crowd on Rod Laver Arena after his first-round opponent retired.
Djokovic looked imperious in his landmark 100th Australian Open victory over Pedro Martinez.
The 38-year-old Serbian, tied with Margaret Court on 24 majors, plays Italy’s Francesco Maestrelli.
“I couldn’t ask for more. Obviously a great serving performance,” Djokovic said after his first-round demolition.
Djokovic will play in the afternoon on centre court, followed by Sinner.
Also in action are fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti, eighth seed Ben Shelton and ninth seed Taylor Fritz.
In the women’s draw, ninth seed Keys faces compatriot Ashlyn Krueger on John Cain Arena.
Keys admitted to being “very nervous” and “too timid” in her sluggish opening win over Oleksandra Oliynykova.
Second seed Iga Swiatek, who has never won in Melbourne, faces Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic.
Fourth seed Amanda Anisimova and fifth seed Elena Rybakina are also in second-round action.
Two-time champion Naomi Osaka, in a jellyfish-inspired outfit on Tuesday, plays Romania’s Sorana Cirstea.
