Novak Djokovic sent 141st-ranked qualifier Francesco Maestrelli packing in straight sets to ease into the Australian Open third round on Thursday — with a little help from his favourite tree. 

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, before paying tribute to the Brazilian fig tree at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Victoria, Melbourne that he always visits and hugs at the start of each Australian Open.