David Ferrer digs deep to advance at the Australian Open

David Ferrer: Came through in four sets

Fourth seed David Ferrer was forced to work hard by Tim Smyczek before securing his place in the third round of the Australian Open.

Ferrer needed two hours and 38 minutes to see off the world No 125 from America 6-0 7-5 4-6 6-3 on Margaret Court Arena.

Ferrer will now play Marcos Baghdatis in the third round after the 28th seed beat Tatsuma Ito 3-6 6-3 6-2 6-2.

And it was a good day for the men's seeds in Melbourne, with few shocks.

Mikhail Youzhny, ranked 23, did bow out after fellow Russian Evgeny Donskoy clinched a 3-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 3-6 6-3, while 20th seed Sam Querrey appeared to be in for a tough time as he lost the first set 7-6 (7-2) before his opponent Brian Baker was forced to retire hurt.

Tomas Berdych, the No 5 seed, registered a routine 6-2 6-2 6-4 over Guillaume Rufin, while 10th-seeded Nicolas Almagro won the all-Spanish affair against Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-4 6-1 6-2.

Stanislas Wawrinka, seeded 15th, was leading 6-3 7-6 (7-4) when Tobias Kamke was forced to retire, while Kei Nishikori wore down Carlos Berlocq to win 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 6-1 .

The No 24 seed Jerzy Janowicz came through an epic encounter with Somdev Devvarman 6-7 (12-10) 3-6 6-1 6-0 7-5, while Jurgen Melzer also needed five sets to beat Roberto Bautista - the 26th seed eventually winning 6-7 (7-4) 6-3 6-7 (7-3) 6-3 6-2.