MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) — Nature-lover Novak Djokovic strolled into the Australian Open third round on Thursday as an erratic Madison Keys wobbled but did enough to keep her title defense on track.

Men’s title-holder Jannik Sinner is also in action later on day five at a sunny but cooler Melbourne Park.

Djokovic sent 141st-ranked 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 China’s Shang Juncheng or 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 number one, who has won 10 Australian titles, more than anyone in history.

“He has been there to heal my wounds and give me company.”

“We have a friendship going over 20 years.”

Keys blew hot and cold before getting over the line 6-1, 7-5 against fellow American Ashlyn Krueger.

Keys, who upset Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s final, admitted after her labored first-round win that she was a bundle of nerves and “too timid.”

The 29-year-old threw off the shackles in the first set against the 92nd-ranked Krueger, taking it in just 23 minutes on John Cain Arena before having to rally from 2-5 in the second.

“I started really well and Ash a little slowly,” said Keys, who began her season with quarterfinal exits at Brisbane and Adelaide.

“I fully expected her to raise her level and she did. It got away from me a bit.”

She meets the experienced Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic next.

In another all-United States clash, the sixth seed Jessica Pegula made light work of her doubles partner McCartney Kessler in a rapid 6-0, 6-2 win.

Another ruthless winner was fourth-seeded American Amanda Anisimova — 6-1, 6-4 against the Czech Katerina Siniakova.

But 25th seed Paula Badosa of Spain, who lost to Sabalenka in the semi-finals a year ago, is out after being stunned 6-4, 6-4 by Russia’s 101st-ranked Oksana Selekhmeteva.

Second seed Iga Swiatek, who has won six major titles but never been successful in Melbourne, later faces Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic.

Two-time former champion Naomi Osaka, who made a grand entrance on Tuesday in a jellyfish-inspired outfit, plays Romania’s Sorana Cirstea.

Fifth seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan will also be in second-round action.

The men’s seeds all went through untroubled.

Lorenzo Musetti, the fifth seed, beat fellow Italian Lorenzo Sonego 6-3, 6-3, 6-4.

American eighth seed Ben Shelton was a comfortable 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victor over Australia’s Dane Sweeny.

Other winners in the men’s draw included 15th seed Karen Khachanov of Russia and 16th seed Jakub Mensik of the Czech Republic.

The 20-year-old Mensik eased past Rafael Jodar of Spain 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.

Sinner is attempting to win a third Australian Open in a row.

The Italian coasted through round one when his French opponent Hugo Gaston retired with Sinner in a commanding 6-2, 6-1 lead.

He will be strong favorite against the 88th-ranked Australian James Duckworth but will have to face down a partisan home crowd on Rod Laver Arena.