Ailing Nadal stays alive to join Federer, Murray in third round

MELBOURNE: Struggling Rafael Nadal survived a mighty scare before joining Roger Federer and Andy Murray in the men´s third round at the Australian Open on Wednesday.

The Spanish world number three, returning from injury, was taken to the brink by American qualifier Tim Smyczek before winning a tough five-setter when he looked down for the count.

The 14-time Grand Slam champion prevailed 6-2, 3-6, 6-7 (2/7), 6-3, 7-5 in 4hr 12min and will now play unseeded Israeli Dudi Sela in the third round.

Nadal, who lost to Stan Wawrinka in last year´s Melbourne final, said he was suffering from stomach cramps during the thriller as he used all his experience to get himself over the line on Rod Laver Arena.

"It was a very tough night for me," Nadal said.

"For me after a tough period of time out of competition in the last seven months and just playing a few matches, today was a little bit humid and I felt very tired after the first set and for the whole match."

Swiss Grand Slam master Federer was stung into action after losing the first set to reel in Italian Simone Bolelli in four sets and take his place in the seeded round.

Murray, a three-time runner-up in Melbourne, extended his record against Australian opponents to 10-0 with a consummate straight sets victory over Marinko Matosevic.

Elsewhere, 10th seed Grigor Dimitrov overcame Lukas Lacko in four sets and seventh seed Tomas Berdych accounted for Jurgen Melzer.

Second seed Federer, chasing his fifth Australian Open title, problem-solved his way to a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win over Bolelli and will play another Italian Andreas Seppi in the third round. (AFP)