Novak Djokovic v Francesco Maestrelli, Taylah Preston v Linda Nosková, Maddison Inglis v Laura Siegemund, Stefanos Tsitsipas v Tomáš Macháč day 5 scores, draw, players, tips, matches, how to watch

This was the day the Maestrelli met the maestro. Or the maestro dealt with the Maestrelli.

The Italian Francesco Maestrelli confronted the maestro of Melbourne, Novak Djokovic, the man who has won 10 titles here. It finished as you might expect when a qualifier meets a player who has won more slams than anyone: in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.

More importantly for Djokovic, who is now due to play on Saturday in the forecast baking heat of 40 degrees, the straight-sets win in mild conditions was done in just two hours and 15 minutes.

If anyone knows how hot a 40-degree day will make centre court on Saturday, it is Djokovic. They are unenviable conditions.

Djokovic didn’t know anything about Maestrelli’s game until 48 hours ago, when he was drawn to play him.

They had never played one another so he had to Google him to find out more.

“It happens more often than not for me these days. I don’t underestimate anyone, he has got a big serve, a big game,” Djokovic said.

Djokovic didn’t have to get out of second gear for the match, but had flickers of brilliance and ingenuity.

When running back to fetch a lob, he played a blind, behind-your-back shot. That wordy description doesn’t do it justice, but it was inventive, and it went in – he just didn’t win the point.

“I have got to bring some variety in the game. It’s been too long playing on tour,” he said on court. “I am glad I didn’t embarrass myself.”

He admitted other players used the shot more often and more successfully. They also use the “tweener”, a shot that Djokovic said he could have used in this instance, but had decided to remove from his repertoire after some painful misadventures attempting it in the past.

“I almost hurt myself,” he laughed.