YEREVAN, JANUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. An ailing Rafael Nadal battled past qualifier Tim Smyczek in five sets to reach the Australian Open third round.

The Spaniard fought back to win 6-2 3-6 6-7 (2-7) 6-3 7-5 and avoid his earliest ever defeat in Melbourne.

As reports “Armenpress” citing BBC, Nadal, seeded third, required treatment from the doctor for stomach cramps in the third set and repeatedly doubled over in distress.

The 28-year-old was playing just his 10th match since Wimbledon because of injury and illness in 2014.

Hampered by his physical issues, the usually miserly Nadal made 53 unforced errors over the course of four hours and 12 minutes.

The 2009 champion had arrived in Australia playing down his chances of winning the tournament, but few expected him to struggle against his unheralded American opponent.

The world number 112 from Milwaukee came through qualifying and had only once before reached the third round of a Grand Slam.

His previous best performance was a victory over world number 19 Jurgen Melzer in Delray Beach three years ago - a far cry from facing Nadal at a Slam.

However, it was the Smyczek forehand and not Nadal's fearsome topspin on that wing that proved the key shot for much of the contest.

The American recovered from losing the first set to break three times in the second, and Nadal looked in trouble early in the third when he called for the doctor, complaining of dizziness and stomach cramps.

The 14-time Grand Slam champion somehow managed to work his way to the brink of the set but failed spectacularly to serve it out, double faulting on break point.

Smyczek raced through the tie-break and an earliest ever Melbourne defeat loomed large for Nadal, who repeatedly slumped over behind the baseline in obvious discomfort.

Dark looks were exchanged with his family and supporters in the stands, and it took some loose play from Smyczek to bring Nadal back into the contest with a break midway through the fourth.

With 16 five-set wins to just two for Smyczek, there was not much doubt that Nadal had the benefit of experience on his side going into the decider.

The Spaniard saw three break points slip by, with Smyczek remarkably calm given the situation, but brilliant backhand and forehand strikes helped Nadal to the decisive break in game 11.

A generous let from Smyczek and three missed match points ensured drama until the very end, but a relieved Nadal sank to his knees after sealing victory at the fourth attempt.