Slovakian starlet Lukas Lacko continued an upturn in form with a straight-sets victory over Gilles Muller on the opening day of the Australian Open.
Lacko looked in control from the first game and eased into the lead in a clash between skillful Europeans, winning the opening set by six games to two.
Muller woke up in the second set and had chances to draw level, but he failed to take advantage and was punished by Lacko, who turned on the style to take a two-set advantage.
Despite trailing, Muller continued to fight for every point and forced the third-set into a tie-break as Lacko began to tighten up towards the finish line.
Lacko regained his composure to claim the breaker in comfortable fashion and complete an impressive first-round victory.
The world number 44 goes through to set up a second-round clash with either Janko Tipsarevic or Leyton Hewitt.
Liam Power
