Jannik Sinner turned in another routine win on Thursday, crushing James Duckworth 6-1, 6-4, 6-2, powering into the Australian Open third round.

The two-time defending champion mowed down his outclassed Aussie wildcard competition.

Italy’s world No. 2 continued his career domination of Australians, winning all five matches he has played against the locals here; he has won  his last 27 overall against Aussies.

Duckworth was the last from his nation to beat Sinner, in 2021 in Toronto. But the Italian sealed his latest victory with an 18th ace.

“Every match is very difficult,” the winner said. “I’m happy to be in the next round.

“I returned and served well today, I’m very happy with the performance. The crowd was very fair with me (playing an Australian)

“I feel in a good shape at the moment, I’m happy with the work we put in during the off-season. The body feels great and the mind is in a good moment.”

Novak Djokovic earned his 101st career victory at the event he has won a record 10 times, with the veteran defeating Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in tough, windy conditions..

“It did feel like two different tournaments playing at night (first round) and day today,” the Serb said.

“The wind has been blowing this year more than any other year that
I’ve been playing here in Australia.I had to adjust to that and adapt to a different
opponent with a big serve.

 ‘But I’m pleased with the way I’m moving and hitting the ball and I look forward to the next one.”

The 38-year-old Serb showed solid form over his 141st-ranked opponent playing in a Grand Slam main draw for the first time. Victory required two and a quarter hours.

Djokovic, winner of 24 singles titles at the majors, stands on the verge of yet another record as a result of his victory.

He now owns 399 Grand Slam wins and could become the first player in history to record 400 match-wins at the majors with one more success here.

“I’m glad the work I did in the off-season is paying off,” Djokovic said. “Obviously I haven’t played any lead-up tournament. 

“I’m really happy I’m able to play this way, considering the lack of competitive matches for more than two months.

“It’s  all been positive so far, positive signs. But I’ve got to keep it up obviously.”

Ageless Swiss Stan Wawrinka defeated a French opponent just over half his age in the longest match of the tournament, with the 40-year-old defeating qualifier Arthur Gae from two sets to one down 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (10-3) to move to the third round.

Wawrinka,who battled for just over four and a half hours, is the first player aged over 40 to get this far at a Grand Slam since 43-year-old Ken Rosewall at the 1978 Australian Open

Wawrinka, competing in his 75th major, triumphed in the fifth-set 10-point tiebreaker over his 21-year-old opponent on the first of six match points.

“I’m exhausted, but since this is my last Australian Open I’m trying to stay in for as long as possible,” the winner said.

“The crowd gave me the energy that I needed, I’m not so young anymore.

“I don’t know how I will recover but I’m super happy. I will always fight and leave everything on the court.”

Fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti won the third all-Italian match in tournament history with his 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 defeat of compatriot Lorenzo Sonego.

Musetti needed two and three-quarter hours to advance and managed despite striking only half of the 41 winners of his losing opponent.

“Lorenzo  is one of my best friends on tour. We recently had a title together in
doubles, so we shared a lot of nice memories, so it’s not easy to separate those things on the court,” Musetti said.

“I’m really, really happy and proud of what I achieved today in straight sets, so I’m happy to be, again, in the third round.”

He added: “My forehand was really, really heavy, it was consistent until the end, and I was really, really aggressive.”

Ben Shelton put out qualifier Dane Sweeny 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 less than 48 hours after the Aussie had eliminated retiring French icon Gael Monfils. Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot accounted for another Australian with his defeat of Rinky Hijikata 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.

Shelton felt he owed the home crowd an apology for eliminating their favourite.

“This is a court that I’m experienced playing on. I’m experienced playing Aussies here. I’m sorry about the outcome today, but I love the chants. I love the noise.

“I love the passion that you guys have for the sport. So thanks everybody for coming out today, even if you wanted me to go down.”

Luca Darderi handed on-form Argentine Sebastian Baez only his second loss of the season after eight wins, with the Italian posting a 6-3, 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 scoreline.

American AO debutant Ethan Quinn toppled big-hitting Pole Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-1, stalling the European’s comeback after summer knee surgery after he helped his country to this month’s United Cup title in Sydney.