Gael Monfils rallied from a set down to edge past 18th seed Alexandr Dolgopolov in an entertaining first-round clash on day two of the Australian Open.
Both players were into their stride quickly but Dolgopolov stayed calm in a topsy-turvy tie break to claim the first set by the narrowest of margins.
A tense second set followed the same pattern but this time it was Monfils who produced under pressure, taking the breaker 7-4 to level the match.
The Frenchman turned on the accelerator in the third, breaking twice late on to edge ahead in front of a packed Margaret Court Arena.
Both players lost their cool in the fourth as breaks of serve became commonplace, but it was Monfils who used his unique mix of pace and power to claim match point at the second time of asking.
Liam Power
