Wednesday 21 January 2015 16:56, UK
Rafael Nadal was forced to overcome fitness problems as he battled back to defeat Tim Smyczek in five sets at the Australian Open.
The world No 3 was hampered by cramp, forcing him to call for the doctor, but the Spaniard dug deep for a 6-2 3-6 6-7 (2-7) 6-3 7-5 win in the second round at Melbourne.
Following a routine opening set, Nadal started to wilt in the humid conditions and the American gained a foothold by levelling in the second.
The usually sprightly Nadal was showing signs of fatigue in the third set, taking his time between changeovers and wearily dished up a double fault while serving for the third set at 5-4.
Smyczek appeared to sense his opponent's vulnerability, taking the resulting tie-break with an ace, but Nadal produced a determined response to force a deciding set.
I don't know what was going on. I had some cramps around the body in different places so that says I was not in perfect shape. It's not normal after an hour.
The world No 112 continued to drag out the gruelling encounter, saving break points in the first and seventh games, before Nadal finally made the breakthrough for a 6-5 lead.
There was yet more drama as a spectator shouted out before the left-hander served a fault and Smyczek showed fine sportsmanship by allowing the point to be replayed.
Nadal won it to claim three match points, but was hauled back to deuce before eventually securing his progress in four hours and 12 minutes.
"It was a very tough night for me," said Nadal. "I want to congratulate Tim because he was a real gentleman what he did in the last game. Not a lot of people would do something like this at 6-5 in the fifth. I think he played a great match.
"It was a little bit humid today. I felt very tired after the first set and through the whole match.
"I don't know what was going on. I had some cramps around the body in different places so that says I was not in
perfect shape. It's not normal after an hour."
