Novak Djokovic vs. Botic van de Zandschulp: Australian Open 2026 Round 3 Preview
Round: Third Round
Date: 24 January 2026
Court: Rod Laver Arena
Novak Djokovic continues his Australian Open 2026 campaign with a fascinating third-round clash against the Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp. Set for the main stage at Rod Laver Arena, this matchup pits Djokovic’s unmatched Melbourne pedigree against a dangerous opponent who has already proven he can trouble elite players.
Match Context
Djokovic, the No. 4 seed, has breezed through the early rounds without losing a single set, while van de Zandschulp has had to fight hard, getting through some nail-biters and close tiebreakers to make it to the last 32. Even though the Serb is definitely the favorite, their previous matchups show that this one might be more of a showdown than the rankings suggest.
Head-to-Head Overview
The rivalry currently stands at 1–1.
- 2025 Indian Wells (Round of 64):
Van de Zandschulp def. Djokovic 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 - 2022 Astana (Round of 16):
Djokovic def. van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-1
Their most recent meeting ended in a convincing win for the Dutchman, reminding fans that van de Zandschulp can disrupt Djokovic’s rhythm when given time on the baseline.
Path to Round 3
Botic van de Zandschulp (World No. 75)
- Round 1: def. Brandon Nakashima
6-3, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6 - Round 2: def. Juncheng Shang
7-6, 6-2, 6-3
Van de Zandschulp has already spent significant time on court, showing mental toughness in back-to-back pressure matches. His ability to stay composed in tiebreaks has been crucial, and that resilience will again be tested against Djokovic.
Novak Djokovic (World No. 4)
- Round 1: def. Pedro Martínez
6-3, 6-2, 6-2 - Round 2: def. Francesco Maestrelli
6-3, 6-2, 6-2
Djokovic has looked calm and efficient, conserving energy while maintaining relentless control from the baseline. His serving numbers and return games have been especially sharp in the opening rounds.
Keys to the Match
How Botic van de Zandschulp Can Compete
According to match stats and performance trends, van de Zandschulp’s best chance lies in shortening points and preventing Djokovic from settling into extended rallies.
- Use powerful first serves to press forward early and reduce Djokovic’s return time
- Mix in dropshots to pull Djokovic out of his preferred baseline positions
- Stay sharp in tiebreaks, where experience in close moments can keep sets competitive
If van de Zandschulp can consistently hold serve and force Djokovic to play on the run, he may create openings similar to their 2025 Indian Wells encounter.
How Novak Djokovic Can Take Control
Djokovic’s tactical edge lies in neutralizing pace and turning service games into battles.
- Turn first serves into contested rallies with elite returning to disrupt rhythm
- Steer points into medium-length exchanges, where his movement and shot selection shine
- Respond immediately after any service break, stopping momentum shifts before they build
On Rod Laver Arena, Djokovic’s anticipation and court coverage often wear opponents down over time, even if early sets remain close.
Recent Form Snapshot
Van de Zandschulp enters the Australian Open after mixed results across late 2025 and early 2026, showing flashes of strong indoor and hard-court performances, particularly in Basel and Hong Kong.
Djokovic, meanwhile, closed 2025 in excellent form, highlighted by his title run at ATP Athens, where he defeated Lorenzo Musetti in the final. His consistent deep runs at major events underline his readiness for another Melbourne push.
What to Expect
This third-round contest may hinge on how long van de Zandschulp can keep the match on his terms. Early aggression and fearless shot-making could make the opening sets competitive, but over five sets, Djokovic’s physical durability, returning pressure, and tactical discipline remain decisive advantages.
If van de Zandschulp serves at a high percentage and forces repeated tiebreaks, the match could stretch longer than expected. However, once rallies lengthen and legs tire, the balance typically shifts toward Djokovic on this stage.
Match Outlook
- Experience edge: Djokovic
- Upset potential: Moderate, if van de Zandschulp dominates serve
- Likely scenario: Djokovic in four sets, with at least one tight tiebreak
With a place in the fourth round on the line, all eyes will be on Rod Laver Arena as Novak Djokovic looks to continue his Australian Open 2026 journey against a proven and fearless challenger.
