No. 3 seed Rafael Nadal was stretched to the wire by American journeyman Tim Smyczek in the second round of the Australian Open 2015, which went on for 5 sets, before the former had the last laugh.

It wasn’t a routine day in the office for the fancied seed, who had to endure 15 aces from his American counterpart, en route his 6-2, 3-6, 6-7, 6-3, 7-5 triumph at the infamous Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday.

However, despite of being edged out, Smyczek had all the positives to take out from the match. “I am very happy with the way I played,” said the World No. 112. “I had a good game plan going in.”

Federer Wins in Four

Meanwhile, 2^nd seed Roger Federer also dodged a bullet, as he came back from a set down to get the better of Simone Bolelli of Italy 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in the other second-round match.

He next faces another Italian counterpart in Andreas Seppi, who overcame Frenchman Jeremy Chardy in four sets.

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