Live Coverage: Australian Open - Day Five

Hello everyone. It's day five at the Australian Open already, and we're all set for another action-packed set of matches in Melbourne. The big guns will be on court later, with Andy Murray and Roger Federer headlining the afternoon session and Maria Sharapova sharing the spotlight later on with Rafael Nadal.

For the Brits among you, it will comes a good news to hear that Andy Murray will be dominating our coverage in a few hours. The Scot is scheduled to meet Joao Sousa in the third round at around 3am, but he could be on court sooner, or much later, depending on the outcome of the first two games on the Hisense Arena. We'll be bringing you game-by-game coverage of that match.

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Roger Federer is third on court in the Rod Laver Arena against Italian Andreas Seppi, but there's a lot of tennis to be played before the second seed and Murray take centre stage. Eugenie Bouchard, Tomas Berdych and Grigor Dimitrov are just a few of the names in action today.

Fans are desperate to get into Show Court 3 to watch @GrigorDimitrov v @marcosbaghdatis! #ausopen pic.twitter.com/lADwinXa3q

— Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) January 23, 2015

10th seed Ekaterina Makarova has not yet lost a set in the tournament, and she is a step closer to reaching the fourth round for the fifth year in a row after winning 6-2 in the first of her match with Karolina Pliskova.

Is there an early upset on the cards on day five? Marcos Baghdatis has taken the opening set 6-4 against 10th seed Grigor Dimitrov, who now faces a huge challenge if he is to reach round four.

Another jam-packed day of #tennis awesomeness. Does it get any better than this? #ausopen pic.twitter.com/6BaT1YAMZb — Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) January 23, 2015

RESULT! Ekaterina Makarova has twice reached the quarter-finals in Melbourne, and she's another step closer to repeating the achievement after a straight-sets win over Karolina Pliskova.

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Dimitrov is back on level terms. It hasn't been entirely convincing, but the second set belongs to the Bulgarian. Will there be a response from Baghdatis?

Seventh seed Eugenie Bouchard is next on Rod Laver Arena against Caroline Garcia. 2014 was a breakthrough year for the Canadian, who reached two semi-finals and a final in the Grand Slams, but can she take the next step?

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Tomas Berdych's third-round clash with Victor Troicki is underway, with no breaks of serve for either man so far in the opening set. Troicki has shown glimpses of finding his best form recently, but it would be a big upset if he could knock out the seventh seed.

Grigor Dimitrov is now in real trouble against Marcos Baghdatis. The Cypriot looks in great form, and he has just won the third set 6-3. Meanwhile, Tomas Berdych won the opening set 6-4 in his match with Victor Troicki, and he is already a break up in the second.

Berdych looks to be set for a place in the fourth round of the Australian Open. The Czech ace is now two-sets ahead of Victor Troicki. The chances of an upset in that game are quickly fading.

Dimitrov is back level once again! The Bulgarian is struggling to find his best form, but he's displaying impressive fight in a thrilling match with Baghdatis. A deciding set has just started.

Bouchard has had her struggles in the first set of her match with Garcia, but a break of serve in the 12th game has handed the Canadian a 7-5 win in the opener.

RESULT! Tomas Berdych has made no mistake in booking his place in the fourth round. The seventh seed has just wrapped up a 6-4 6-3 6-4 victory over Victor Troicki.

It's heating up in Melbourne in more ways than one. Dimitrov is currently leading Baghdatis by a break in the fifth set of their enthralling match, despite some excellent tennis from the Cypriot. Can Dimitrov get over the line?

.@tomasberdych records 300th match win on hard courts, stops #Troicki 64 63 64 in #AusOpen 3R. http://t.co/Qly97QY53L pic.twitter.com/1rAuQjYHIA — ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) January 23, 2015

RESULT! Bouchard is celebrating in the Rod Laver Arena, and that's because the Canadian has just secured her progress with a 7-5 6-0 victory over Caroline Garcia.

RESULT! The big news just keeps on coming. Baghdatis is broken, and Grigor Dimitrov has managed to escape from the third round with a 4-6 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-3 victory. Overcoming a huge challenge like that is certainly going to boost the Bulgarian's confidence.

A trio of the game's biggest stars have booked their place in the fourth round in the past 15 minutes. It's the turn of some of their colleagues to take centre stage now. Federer is next on the Rod Laver Arena against Seppi, while Bethanie Mattek-Sands stands in the way of third seed Simona Halep. We will keep you updated on both games, but our attention will be on Andy Murray's meeting with Joao Sousa on the Hisense Arena when the match between Irina-Camelia Begu and Carina Witthoeft is over. Begu is currently a set and a break ahead.

If you've missed any of the action on day five, read our reports of victories for three top seeds.

Berdych def. Troicki
Bouchard def. Garcia
Dimitrov def. Baghdatis

Federer is moments away from starting his third-round clash. Can Andreas Seppi halt the second seed's bid for a fifth title?

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It's not a result that will steal many headlines, but Irina-Camelia Begu has just recorded a 6-4 6-4 win over Carina Witthoeft, which means that Andy Murray is about to arrive on court in the Hisense Arena for his match with Joao Sousa.

What do we know about Joao Sousa? The 25-year-old is the Portuguese number one, but this is just the second time he has reached the third round of a Grand Slam. In three previous meetings between the two players, Sousa has failed to take a set off Murray. They've also played each other in Melbourne, with Murray beating today's opponent in straight set at this tournament in 2013.

Murray will certainly be fully focused on Sousa today, but revenge may be on the mind if he records an expected win. Grigor Dimitrov awaits the winner of this match in the fourth round. The Bulgarian was responsible for ending Murray's defence of the Wimbledon title at the quarter-final stage last year.

A shock can happen at any stage, just ask a few of the top seeds from the women's draw. However, if results go as expected, Murray would have to beat Dimitrov, Federer, Nadal and Djokovic to claim his first Australian Open title. With a difficult draw like that ahead, Murray will be determined to conserve as much energy as possible.

UPDATE: Halep has taken the first set 6-4 against Mattek-Sands. That may have been expected, but is there an upset brewing elsewhere? Seppi looked nervy serving for the set against Federer, who had chances to break back. However, it is the Italian who leads the second seed.

Let's get back to the Hisense Arena. Murray and Sousa are ready to get their match underway. It will be the Scot who serves first.

It's a confident start from Murray as a big first serve is returned long by Sousa. A weaker second serve is attacked by Sousa, who delights the crowd with a stunning winner. That's the only point in the game for him, though, as Murray gets on the scoreboard immediately.

Sousa looks happy to exchange ground strokes from the back of the court, and Murray blinks first with a couple of lazy shots into the net early in the game. After losing the opening three points, Murray goes on the attack to dominate Sousa, whose defensive lob drifts out. A big first serve makes the difference. Sousa will take confidence from that opening service game.

Superb from Sousa. Murray looks to come into the net, but his approach shot is weak and his opponent responds with a perfect lob. The serve has been impressive so far in the tournament for Murray, and he gets back level with a powerful delivery down the middle. Another big first serve follows, and he takes control of the rally to move 30-15 up. However, the run is over when he double faults. Oh dear. A poor second serve is easily picked up, and Sousa unleashes the forehand winner to bring up break point. Murray hits back with a fine serve down the middle once again. Sousa then comes into the net for the first time, but Murray's attempt at the pass is too fast to be returned. A mixed bag of a game continues when Murray commits another double fault. Incredible. It's advantage Murray again thanks to an ace on the second serve, and another ace secures a nervy game.

BREAK! Murray loses the first point, but Sousa, who is looking to be aggressive, strikes the net with a forehand to make it 15-15. Some excellent defensive tennis from Murray threatens Sousa, who deserves the round of applause when he smashes off the back foot. Much better from Murray. He takes charge of the next rally with a superb backhand down the line and Sousa is unable to return with a desperate swing of the racket. A similar exchange follows, and Murray has his first break point. Brilliant! He steps back from the baseline to change the pace before delivering a superb backhand winner to get the break.

Murray is furious with himself as he hits the net with a volley after bossing another rally early in the fifth game of the match. A frustrated glare to Amelie Mauresmo follows. The reactions don't get any better from the Scot as he hammers a forehand into the net. The hint of an opening for Sousa quickly disappears when Murray delivers his fourth ace, before finding the perfect angle for a forehand winner while retreating to the baseline. Sousa shows his overhead skills once again to force deuce with a brilliant smash, but it's Murray who takes the game.

BREAK! Sousa hits just his third unforced error into the net early in a new service game. He's played pretty well, but Murray produced his best when it mattered to get the break. Murray gets his rival moving across the baseline before using the forehand to deliver an 11th winner. The slice which follows is a thing of beauty as Sousa fails to read the dying ball effectively. An error from Sousa then gifts the double break to Murray. He'll serve for the set.

SET! Murray's forehand is just too much for Sousa to handle so far, and that's a great sign for the sixth seed. Good signs for Murray spell bad news for Sousa, who is unable to stop his opponent holding to 30 to secure success in the opener.

Murray hasn't found his rhythm completely in the first set, but some of the winners he has produced from the back of the court have been brilliant. The first few games of the second set could decide how quickly this match will last.

Moments after losing the opener, it's clear that Sousa is trying to be more aggressive. However, a couple of wayward forehands gift the advantage to Murray before a fine driving volley makes it 15-30. Murray spots the chance to hit another forehand winner, but he's a few inches away from the line. Much better from Sousa, whose wide serve/forehand combination puts him ahead. Murray hits a return into the net to hand the game to Sousa. Important moment for the Portuguese number one.

An aggressive Sousa enjoys contrasting fortunes as a powerful forehand drifts wide, before a clever backhand pass gets the better of Murray. That's as good as it gets for Sousa as Murray displays some great defensive tennis to secure the hold once again.

RESULT! Mattek-Sands produced a late rally, but it wasn't enough to stop Halep, who has earned a place in the fourth round with a 6-4 7-5 victory.

BREAK! Great work from Murray again as he dominates another rally before executing the perfect backhand down the line. Sousa takes the next two points to get onto the front foot, and Murray's next backhand isn't quite strong enough to creep over the net. Murray gets one back, and Sousa it he maker of his own downfall once again when a backhand drifts long. The sixth seed displays his pace to chase down what looks to be a lost cause, but he misses the line with a backhand. Sousa can't keep the pressure on. A superb backhand from Murray forces deuce. What follows is one of the best returns you'll see in this tournament as Murray stretches to reach a first serve with an unstoppable forehand winner, but he wastes break point with sloppy unforced error. Sousa earns advantage. What next? Another unstoppable return of serve, this time on the backhand side. Another deuce follows, but a second break point is gifted to Murray, who converts when Sousa is unable to return a powerful forehand. It's a crucial moment in this match.

UPDATE: It looked like Seppi had missed a great opportunity when he was broken while serving for the set at 5-4, but the Italian responded impressively in the tie-break to earn a 2-0 lead over Federer. Is the second seed heading out?

Murray produces some exhibition tennis by bringing Sousa forward before beating him with the lob. The Portuguese then somehow manages to return a smash, but Murray is at the net to put away another point with ease. Murray's current first serve percentage is at 49%, but it's not making a difference as he comfortably holds to love.

BREAK! It was the serve in the first two matches, but the forehand is the big weapon for Murray today. A 20th winner arrives when he beats Sousa with an unstoppable shot. Sousa wins the next two points, but Murray storms back to find another break point when his rival strikes the net. It's another chance converted for the sixth seed, whose power makes the difference in the rally before Sousa hits the net once again. Murray is looking very comfortable.

It looks like Sousa has a problem. The trainer has been brought onto the court, and it looks like the Portuguese number one is struggling with his knee. A medical timeout is confirmed as the physio gets to work. Let's hope Sousa can continue.

This is getting very worrying. For all of you athletes out there, you'll know how painful a sports massage is, but Sousa does appear to be struggling. If he has tweaked something in his knee, it will be very difficult to recover from. There's no sign of him retiring though.

There's no limping from Sousa as he gets back on court, but unfortunately for him, there's no letting up from Murray either. A wild volley from Murray gifts Sousa his only point as the Scot piles the pressure back on his rival with another comfortable hold of serve.

SET! Murray has free licence to attack at this stage of the match, and Sousa needs to shorten the rallies if he is to have any chance of staying in this match. However, the pressure is on at 30-30, and Sousa can only find the net to hand Murray a set point. Sousa's attempt at a half volley turns into a good drop shot, and Murray touches the net in his efforts to reach the ball. Murray dominates on deuce, and Sousa fails to dig himself out of trouble. A second set point is converted as Sousa strikes the net. Muray moves another step closer to the fourth round.

Sousa has nothing to lose, and he's attempting to go out in aggressive fashion. One powerful finds the forehand, but the next drifts a few inches wide. Murray is just too strong today. Sousa challenges when Murray delivers the ace, but hawkeye is not his friend today either.

The two players exchange powerful ground strokes from the baseline, but Sousa gifts the point with a wild forehand. A mistake on the next rally allows Murray to latch onto a shorter ball with another winner. Brilliant. Sousa gets a point back, but Murray brings up two break points with a fantastic cross-court forehand winner. The second break point should be converted. However, Murray fires an attempted pass into the net. Two more deuces follow, but Sousa escapes with a hold for just his third game of the match.

UPDATE: Federer has produced the response he needed by taking the third set 6-4 against Seppi. He'll need to do it in five sets to reach the fourth round, but will Seppi be able to stop his opponent's momentum?

It's been a very comfortable day for Murray. Sousa simply has no answer for the sixth seed's dominance as Dunblane's favourite boy holds to love.

BREAK! Sousa starts a new game with a double fault, but he gets a point back when Murray drifts long with a backhand. Even at this stage, Murray is furious when he makes an error like that. Frustration quickly turns to delight as Murray dominates a couple of rallies to find two more break points. Sousa saves one with an emphatic overhead smash, but he is powerless to prevent Murray from securing the break with a backhand winner.

It feels like an exhibition game for a moment when both players miss chances to win a point at the net, before Sousa commits the error of finding the tape with what looks to be an easy volley. It's another love game for Murray. There's no stopping him today.

Lovely net play from Sousa, who creates the opportunity to win a point with an easy stroke into the open court. At 30-0, Murray looks to get back in the game on Sousa's second serve, but his forehand sails wide of the mark. The crowd are applauding. Why? Sousa has just held to love for the first time in the match.

BREAK! Fantastic tennis from Murray as he pushes his rival from side to side before winning the point with a drive volley on the forehand side. It's been easy for the Scot, but he has managed to silence a few critics by attacking much more effectively today. His reward has been clear, in truth. Murray's first challenge of the day is unsuccessful as Sousa clips the baseline with a forehand. A double fault creates an opening, and Sousa forces deuce. The Portuguese number one ventures into the net with a couple of fine shots, and he finds just his second break point of the match. A miscue from Murray gifts Sousa the game. It's not over yet.

You don't see this often. The line judge calls a Sousa forehand out, before reversing her own decision as he considered a challenge. Murray then uses a challenge of his own, but the technology proves the ball did clip the line. Another challenge follows later on when the umpire overrules a decision from a line judge, and he's proved right - point to Murray. However, Sousa appears to have regained his confidence with the break. Even a charge into the net can't stop Sousa, who cruises to a hold of serve.

Three games in a row for Sousa brings a reaction from Murray, who returns to his ruthless form and he's not happy either. Judy Murray won't be happy with the swearing as her son questions the umpire's decision to allow Sousa to challenge after a lengthy delay. The result? An ace for Murray, proves hawkeye. Sousa gets back in the game, but Murray unleashes the backhand winner at 40-30 to move within a game of the fourth round.

The momentum has shifted, with Sousa controlling the tempo as Murray sends a weak forehand into the net. It's surely too little, too late. Murray dispatches a poor shot from his rival with a backhand winner, and a double fault makes it 15-30. The momentum swings the other way. A deep return forces Sousa into an awkward position, and he can only strike the net to give Murray two match points. Sousa saves one by coming into the net to tuck the volley away in emphatic fashion. Murray comes forward to look for the right angle on the forehand, but it's a poor stroke into the net. He should bring up a third match point, but it's a shake of the head as the Scot sends a forehand long. Sousa thinks he's made the perfect passing shot until the top of the net intervenes to force deuce once again. There's no stopping the next shot from Sousa as a forehand winner restores his advantage. He gets the hold and lives to fight for a little bit longer.

Murray gets himself back in rhythm with three excellent first serves and a couple of "come on" shouts. When he plays like that, Sousa can't stop him. A dominant service game ends with a forehand winner, and the pressure is back on Sousa.

GAME, SET AND MATCH! Much better from Murray. He forces himself back onto the front foot with some fine ground strokes, and the first point is his when he finishes with the overhead smash. A backhand from Murray drops too short, which allows Sousa to get level with a forehand winner. Superb! It's incredible defence from Murray, who returns the smash and following forehand, before reaching the ball on the stretch to hit the baseline with a stunning winner. Sousa's response is an ace, but it's a third match point when the Portuguese challenger miscues a shot wide of his target. We end the match with a bit of an anti-climax. More impressive defence from Murray forces Sousa into the lob, but the ball drifts too long, according to the line judge. It's called out, but Sousa wants to challenge. The umpire decides he's waited too long though, and the Murray win is confirmed!

In truth, it's a comfortable victory for Murray, despite a worrying slump in the third set. The win is all that matters, and the aggressive tennis he played for most of the match was particularly pleasing. Murray will now face Dimitrov in the fourth round.

That meeting between Dimitrov and Murray will take place on Saturday. It's a repeat of the quarter-final from last year's Wimbledon. Murray will be desperate to avenge that defeat to the Colombian.

You can now read a full report of Murray's straight-sets victory over Sousa. Is the sixth seed on course to a first triumph at the Australian Open? There's a long way to go yet.

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SHOCK RESULT! Andreas Seppi has done it! An incredible forehand on match point in the fourth set tie-break has given the Italian a completely unexpected win over Roger Federer. The second seed is out of the Australian Open with a third-round exit. You won't get a bigger surprise than that. It's surely the biggest win of Seppi's career.

Before today, Seppi had lost all of his previous 10 meetings with Federer. It's the first time since 2001 that Federer hasn't been able to reach the fourth round in Melbourne. Murray and Dimitrov will be happy with the news, with both players knowing a quarter-final with Federer is not a possibility anymore.

You can now read a full report of Seppi's stunning 6-4 7-6 4-6 7-6 victory over Federer, whose run of 11 consecutive semi-final appearances at the Australian Open has come to an end.

Speaking after his win over Joao Sousa, sixth seed Andy Murray said: "I'm feeling pretty good so far. I have played three quite quick matches which helps, but you expect the matches to get a little tougher as you go through each round so if you can conserve energy, that's always good."

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Murray will meet Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round on Saturday.

There's been wins for Murray, Berdych, Halep and Bouchard among others, but the story of the day is certainly Federer's shock defeat to Seppi. If that's not enough for you, there's still plenty of tennis on the way.

Kevin Anderson and Richard Gasquet are underway in battle of two seeds in the third round, while Maria Sharapova is expected on court at around 8am for her meeting with Zarina Diyas. Rafael Nadal follows Sharapova in the Rod Laver Arena against Dudi Sela. Is the Spaniard at threat of following Federer out of the tournament?

After his win over Federer, an exhausted Seppi said: "It's never comfortable playing against Roger, you never can be comfortable but, as I said, I was focusing on my service games and I didn't have many chances on his serve so I just focused on mine and it was very tiring, especially those last points."

We reckon you've earned a rest, Andreas.

A bitterly disappointed Roger Federer has been reacting to his defeat in the third round at the hands of Andreas Seppi, and it's clear what the second seed believes was the crucial moment.

"I knew how important that second set tiebreaker was, so clearly that hurt," Federer conceded to members of the media.

"I was playing well in practice, I played well in Brisbane, I'd like to say I peaked too early. It just broke me to lose that second set."

We're underway at the Rod Laver Arena as Maria Sharapova takes on Zarina Diyas. These two have never faced each other before, with second seed Sharapova having a spot of bother with another unknown in the previous round. This should prove to be an interesting affair, that's for sure. Elsewhere, Kevin Anderson currently leads Richard Gasquet by a set following a 6-4 opening.

Sharapova is looking menacing at the moment. Diyas has done very little wrong thus far, but the Russian has produced some clinical and powerful tennis to take the first set 6-1.

Bernard Tomic has just confirmed his progression into the fourth round of the showpiece. He's come through with a straight-sets win over Sam Groth, despite his fellow countryman forcing a tie in the second set.

Tidy work from Sharapova over at the Rod Laver Arena as she's just dispatched youngster Zarina Diyas following a simple 6-1 6-1 victory. The Russian displayed some real power to dent the 21-year-old's confidence throughout the first set, while the second seed was also able to show some remarkably improved footwork since her second-round showing.

Following the tournament's first major upset, Federer has revealed that he believes that not too much should be read into his loss to Seppi. Read what the four-time Australian Open champion has had to say here.

We're now due to witness a fantastic offering as Rafael Nadal takes on Israeli Dudi Sela at the Rod Laver Arena. Nadal came under real threat in the third round following some suspect fitness issues so day five's final offering should prove an interesting affair to say the least. These two have never played each other before. Does Sela have a chance? We'll see...

Nadal starts strongly as he moves into a 3-0 lead with some impressive work on the forehand. Sela is looking a little nervous so far, but you can hardly blame him. The Israeli seems particularly rocked after an impressive first ace of the game.

Four points to the good now for Nadal. He brings things to a conclusion with a smart ace on the inside that leaves Sela motionless from his starting position.

Love service game for Sela. Some fantastic return work sees him pull Nadal short to the net before pushing the ball to the other side of the court. Nadal scrambles across to make the return, but his shot flies out of the court.

Comfortable work from the Spaniard on his first two serves sees Nadal judge Sela's returns perfectly as they are both deemed out. Nadal is then forced into the net as Sela claims one back with a strong return, but it's another point for Nadal who crashes a brilliant forehand down the line to make it 40-15. Sela isn't moved as he produces a long volley that sees Nadal spin and crash another attempt straight into the net. The game concludes, though, as Nadal wins the overall point with another crushing whip towards the back of the court.

SET! Really strong tennis from Nadal as he wraps up the set. It comes via a wonderful pop that rises with pace and lands just an inch short of the back-line, leaving Sela with absolutely no chance at all...

First game of the second set goes in favour of Nadal. Strong serves see him move into a 30-0 lead with Sela unable to cope with the returns. Nadal drops his concentration and finds the net to move the scores to 30-15, before a blistering serve leaves Sela unable to make the return with a weak back-hand that fails to get over the middle.

Sela produces good work off his first two serves to take a 30-0 lead, but Nadal comes back with a wonderful swipe across the court to register his first point. Amazing tennis from Nadal who then produces an undercut which precedes a dipping volley that takes him into a 40-30 lead. He finishes things off with no problem to take the point, this is remarkably quick scoring for someone as slow as Nadal.

What a difference a day makes! Another point from Nadal who concludes things with a wonder-striker on the forearm that flies straight down the line and leaves Sela gasping. Nadal is really making light work of this fixture.

At 15-15 Sela gets his first chance to play more than five shots in a row as the players begin a rally. Nadal has soon had enough, though, and he forces the point with a powerful forehand that tucks his opponent up. There's some vintage Nadal on show straight after as he corners Sela before rushing the net and flicking across the court.

Sela thinks he got his man with a swiped return across the court, but Nadal calls and is proved right with an out decision. The Spaniard serves up and Sela's return is out again, taking things to 30-0. The Israeli seeks to force the issue and it's a little beyond him as he fires another return out of the court, which is then followed by another poor return that hands Nadal the game.

SET! Good judgement from Nadal sees him leave a big scoop to rise and fly out of the court. The Spaniard is imperious today, so much quality... Nadal is then left to add another with some tremendous work down the tramline to put him 40-15 ahead. Sela comes back with a serve and volley that does for Nadal, before he gives another point away at the net to make it 40-40. Clever return work snatches the advantage back from Sela's grasp, with the set concluded following a booming drive to the baseline.

Poor Sela, this is looking purely like a one-man show. Nadal loses out with a whip into the net and is then left further behind as Sela pounces to produce a wild back-hand across the court to take a 30-0 advantage. The scores are brought level thanks to some inaccuracy from the 106th-ranked player, before some lazzy tennis sees Nadal slip back behind. Nadal is forced to save two break points to eventually take the game.

Sela fluffs a first return off his own serve, while Nadal is guilty of his own dip in concentration. His forehand smash is then declared out as Sela moves into a 40-15 lead. Sela wins his first point in the third as Nadal forces a cross-court forehand out of the margins.

Nadal moves back on top, however, as a sneaky looped-shot lands just in the court with Sela looking to play for the out decision. The point is sealed with Nadal's second serve setting up a short rally eventually concluded with a stinging volley into the far corner.

New balls in play! Let's hope the new set can muster a miracle here... Sela claims off his first serve to make it 15-0 but a comical slap onto the other side of the court from Nadal sees things level. Both players surrender a point at 30-30, but a nice cut from Sela forces Nadal into a silly shot up the line that falls out of the court. A great leave finally gives Sela his second game in the third.

Nadal's wide serve comes into play now and it brings him equal at 15-15. Sela pulls off some world-class shots to stay in contention at the net, allowing him to dispatch Nadal into the corner. His opponent shows his class though and pulls level with a stunning serve, which sets up the opportunity to take the lead as Sela is wrong-footed. The underdog gives up the game with a poor shot that flies into the net. 3-2 in the third to Nadal.

Two loose efforts from Sela see him slip into a 30-0 deficit off his own serve, but he then throws a nice volley on the rise to give Nadal a bit of his own medicine. Two gifts end up giving Nadal the break point on two occasions, but Sela comes back with a neat serve. Another couple of classy shots, including a short dink over the net, move Sela level at 3-3.

The seventh game opens with a continual rally and Nadal, for some strange reason, loses his concentration to give his opponent the lead. Parity is reached when Sela blasts his return over Nadal's head and almost into the laps of those sitting in the crowd. Rallies seem to be denting Nadal as another long one witnesses him crash a return into the net. Smart play from Sela forces Nadal out again, who eventually comes back with two adroit shots on the surge to bring deuce. The Spaniard finally forces out the result to keep himself unbroken.

Glimpses of quality from Sela now, as he produces a wonderful flick with both players at the net to open the scoring. He backs it up with a great serve that brings a clinical swipe. Sela moves further ahead when Nadal can't return. Game for Sela after Nadal's return flies across the court and just evades the tramline.

Perhaps Nadal senses that he's slipped a little? Well, he brings himself back into the fray with two clever lashes into the far corner to make it 30-0. Sela makes an early move on the next second serve, though, as he gets to the net to claim a point with Nadal struggling down in the bottom-right corner and unable to meet a dink over the middle. It looks like an ace number four might give Nadal the game, but it's called wide. Rafa finally grabs the point needed to move just one game away from victory, though.

Tidy work from Sela has Nadal rushing all over the court. The Spaniard can't settle the play and the Israeli wrong-foots his opponent to open the scoring. More good work from Sela brings a 30-0 lead, before Nadal gambles with a pump down the line that brings a point. Some world-class tennis sees the Spaniard level as he thrashes across the court, with the ball called in. It's not enough though as Sela pulls out the cheekiest of chips to confuse Nadal with both players at the net. Five each!

Nadal doesn't make much headway off his own serve, but some costly accuracy from Sela gives him a lifeline at 30-15. Sela comes up with an audacious forehand to make it 40-15 and the crowd go wild! Nadal gets lucky with a shot that clips the net and drops short of an on-rushing Sela who senses a break is on the cards... only to see himself throw away the lead with an overhit back-hand. He's not moved, however, and responds with a tasty forehand to grab the advantage but Nadal rallies back to wrestle the lead - concluding the point as he saves the break for the third time in the game.

GAME, SET and MATCH! Sela needs to hold serve in order to remain in the contest and it initially looks likely with clever work to take the first point. Nadal is respondent as ever, though, and he levels with a thump down the outside. Sela doesn't want to give up just yet and he moves ahead again with a lob. Pure brutalism from Nadal leaves his opponent unable to return the next shot, though, to tie the scores at 30-30. Match-point arrives two plays later and Nadal spurns it with a wasteful, wide lash that's called out. Sela then hands Nadal the advantage again when he strikes straight into the net, leaving match-point number two to be claimed via a rasping wide forehand. Game Nadal!

So, there you have it: Nadal seems like he's gradually getting back on course following that injury scare earlier in the week. Those first two sets from the Spaniard were oozing with class, but Rafa will be aware that he should've killed the third set off probably a lot earlier than he did.

Just as we were getting underway at the Rod Laver Arena, Kevin Anderson eased past Richard Gasquet in straight sets to claim a 6-4 7-6 7-6 win. That means that Nadal and Anderson will now be due to meet in the fourth round of the tournament.

There's still one more piece of action being played in Melbourne on day five as Martina Hingis and Flavia Pennetta take on Daniela Hantuchov and Hantuchova Knapp in the second round of the women's doubles. We'll bring you news of that contest as it comes in.

Finally we have a result! Martina Hingis and Flavia Pennetta have secured their place in the third round with a 6-3 6-7[5] 6-2 victory over Daniela Hantuchov and Hantuchova Knapp. That concludes the action on a day that has seen Roger Federer get knocked out by Andreas Seppi in four sets. It's been a better day for Andy Murray, Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal (who looked down and out in his last match!) as they have all progressed into the next round.

Make sure you join us from midnight for live updates of all the matches on day six, which includes action from Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams. Until then, goodbye!