Radek Stepanek retirement hands Blaz Kavcic clash with Roger Federer

Radek Stepanek has exited the 2014 Australian Open after retiring hurt in his first-round match against Blaz Kavcic.

Stepanek led by two sets to one when he decided to quit, sending Kavcic through to face 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer in round two.

The Czech number two called for a medical timeout for treatment on a neck injury when facing break point at 5-5 in the opening set, which he went on to win 7-3 in a tie-break.

He then edged a tight second set 6-4, before being thrashed 6-1 in the third. After losing the first two games of set four, the world number 44 decided to pull out.

Stepanek has now gone out in round one of the Melbourne Grand Slam in four of the last seven years.