Djokovic, Sinner flatten their rivals

Stan the man turns back time in epic

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Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner barrelled ominously into the Australian Open third round yesterday as 40-year-old Stan Wawrinka survived an epic to make Grand Slam history.

An erratic Madison Keys did enough to keep her title defence on track and Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka also triumphed on a sunny but cooler Melbourne Park day five.

The tournament fell briefly silent in the evening to remember the 15 people killed at Bondi Beach last month by gunmen who opened fire on a Jewish festival.

Djokovic sent qualifier Francesco Maestrelli packing in straight sets at Rod Laver Arena. The Serbian great is on his latest mission to win a record 25th Grand Slam title and dismissed the Italian 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.

Djokovic faces 75th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands next.

Djokovic is well known for his sometimes unusual preparations, which include hugging a Brazilian fig tree in Melbourne's botanical gardens.

“That is my oldest friend here in Melbourne,’ said the 38-year-old former world No.1, who has won 10 Australian Open titles.