David Goffin has secured his spot in the second round of the Australian Open after grinding out a four-set victory over Michael Russell.
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The 20th seed looked on course for a routine win before the 36-year-old halved his advantage, but the Belgian struck back in the next set to record a 6-3 6-3 5-7 6-0 triumph.
Goffin, who enjoyed a stellar second half to 2014 to move up to world number 22, started positively against the American, with one break of serve being enough to take the first set.
However, Russell, who beat British number four Liam Broady in the final qualifying round, struck early in the second before being pegged back by the Belgian, who was perhaps benefiting from the veteran playing his fourth match in quick succession.
Both players struggled with their serve at the start of the third but Goffin gained control in the fourth game. However, just as it appeared that he would coast through the remainder of the set, Russell found his range to take the match into a fourth set.
The momentum was with the American but Goffin quickly rediscovered the form that had seen him ease through the first 80 minutes to book his place in the last 64.
Darren Plant
