Rafael Nadal is through to the third round of the Australian Open, after he came from behind to claim a five-set victory over Tim Smyczek.
The pair battled for over four tough hours before the third seed eventually prevailed 6-2 3-6 6-7 6-3 7-5.
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After a gentle opening, Nadal broke his opponent in just the fourth game of the first set as he whipped a series of forehands to both corners, and eventually forced an error.
The Spaniard had no issues on his own serve as he routinely held with ease, before he broke Smyczek again in the eighth game to claim the opening set.
Smyczek gained confidence from an early break of serve in the second set and, while Nadal did break back, the American was gifted a second break when Nadal sent a forehand long, and double-faulted.
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Some aggressive hitting from Smyczek helped him to take the next two games and close out the set to level the match, before he gained another break of serve at the beginning of the third after successive double-faults from Nadal.
The 28-year-old had to dig deep but he managed to break back almost immediately, although he was then forced to call for the trainer as he complained of dizziness.
Nadal managed to take the third set to a tie-break, but Smyczek produced some brutal hitting from the back of the court as he comfortably won 7-2 to take a one-set lead.
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After a tame start, Smyczek gifted Nadal a break of serve mid-way through the fourth set, which ultimately turned out to be the deciding moment as the multiple Grand Slam winner managed to hold serve routinely until he forced a decider.
Both players looked tired in the final set and it took until the 11th game for a break of serve, when Nadal produced some blistering ground strokes that proved to be too much for Smyczek to handle.
He confirmed his passage through to the third round in the following game, as he converted his fourth match point.
Nadal will play Dudi Sela in the next round.
Charlie Bennett
