David Ferrer was made to work hard by American qualifier Tim Smyczek this morning in an entertaining clash of styles at the Australian Open.
The fourth seed looked to be cruising in the early stages as he wrapped up the first set in just 25 minutes without losing a single game.
Smyczek battled back from 0-3 down to make a fight of the second set, finally finding a way to make his mark on the match before being edged out 7-5 by the experienced Spaniard.
Ferrer was caught napping at the end of the third as Smyczek's persistence finally earned the American a breakthrough as he avoided a straight-sets defeat with some powerful baseline returns.
Dropping a set visibly angered Ferrer as he stepped up the intensity in the fourth to close out what had become a tricky encounter to negotiate.
Smyczek went for broke on the Spaniard's serve but could not find a way to level the match as Ferrer finally progressed in four sets despite squandering three match points.
Liam Power
