Nadal survived almost five hours battle

Rafael Nadal qualified for the third round of the Australian Open. The Spaniard made a tough turnaround after over four hours battle against qualifier Tim Smyczek (US) - 6:2, 3:6, 6:7, 6:3, 7:5.

In the next phase the former No. 1 will play against another player outside of the top 100 - Dudi Sela. They have no formal meeting.

Nadal looked tired from the third set. He failed to close part of its service at 5:4. Came to a tiebreak, which Smyczek convincing win. Then Rafa left the court and received medication by a physiotherapist on the court.

The fourth part of the decisive break for Nadal came to 4:2 and this brings the game to the full format. Finally, in the end of the fifth part Nadal break him. He saved three match points, but Nadal close the game with his service with 7:5.

"Very difficult evening. I do not know what happened, but I`m definitely not in optimum condition. I want to congratulate Tim. He is a true gentleman. There are not many people who will do what he did at 6:5 in the fifth set. After the first part I was very tired. The support I received from the crowd was fantastic and helped me a lot, "said the Spaniard after the game.

"I do not know what happened, I felt dizzy. I had cramps in the body. I was not in the best condition and this is not normal after one-hour play. I had to fight for every point and give myself a chance to win," said Nadal.