Tomas Berdych batters Guillaume Rufin

Tomas Berdych underlined his Australian Open credentials this morning with a straight-sets destruction of Guillaume Rufin.

The fifth seed wasted no time in taking control of his second-round match, using a fearsome serve and forehand to leave the Frenchman a set down in 40 minutes flat.

Rufin battled bravely to save break points on numerous occasions but his hard work merely delayed the inevitable as Berdych swept into a two-set lead in ruthless fashion.

Berdych completed a professional display in the third against a spirited opponent to win the contest 6-2 6-2 6-4 and set up a clash with Jurgen Melzer or Roberto Bautista-Agut in the last 32.