The Spaniard was suffering from intestinal cramps during the contest, repeatedly doubling over at the end of points, but he proved he had the stomach to edge past the world number 112 with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-7(2-7), 6-3, 7-5 victory.

Nadal, who won the tournament in 2009, made an uncharacteristic 53 unforced errors in the match, which lasted for four hours and 12 minutes.

"At the end of the first set, I started to feel my body was very bad, very tired," Nadal said.

"I was worrying like crazy, then I was serving for the third and almost threw up.

"I was suffering a lot, obviously it's a very positive thing that finally I have the chance to win, but I hope to recover myself."

On a day where former Grand Slam winners toiled to narrow victories, Swiss star Roger Federer also did not have things his own way in his four set win over Italian Simone Bolleli, as he struggled with a finger problem reportedly caused by a bee sting throughout.

Federer dropped the first set but after receiving treatment he gradually grew back into the match, demonstrating the resilience and battling qualities that have elevated him to legendary status in the game, before he sealed a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win.

Four-time winner Roger Federer also struggled with injury during his victory over Simone Bolelli ©Getty Images



Andy Murray had no such issues however as he made light work of Australian Marinko Matesevic, progressing with a comfortable 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 victory.

There was some success for the raucous home crowd to cheer though as Nick Kyrgios, who beat Nadal in a famous win at Wimbledon last year, provided an upset once more as he booked his place in the next round with a four-set triumph over Croatian giant Ivo Karlovic.

In the women's tournament, second seed Maria Sharpova had to save two match points before eventually beating world number 150 Alexandra Panova in three sets.

With temperatures reaching 32 degrees, Sharapova toiled in the Australian heat but she started at a frenetic pace, taking the opening set 6-1.

Second seed Maria Sharapova had to save two match points against Alexandra Panova before eventually progressing to round three ©Getty Images



But she began to struggle in the second set which was won by Panova, but the outsider could not quite overcome her clear nerves to close out a victory as Sharapova claimed the win.

So far, the women's draw has thrown up some major surprises after eight seeds fell on the opening day, but the likes of Eugenie Bouchard, Sara Errani and Shuai Peng ensured they did not fall victim to the same curse as the Canadian, Italian and Chinese stars all sealed their passage into the next round.

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