World number three David Ferrer has defeated Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-2 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 on Friday to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open amid extreme heat.
The Spaniard, who reached the semi-finals twice at Melbourne Park, braved temperatures of 42 degrees Celsius on the Rod Laver Arena and wore down Laver with his trademark brand of attritional tennis within two hours and 12 minutes.
Reports said that Ferrer, who took his frustrations out by smashing his racket after losing his serve in the second set, saved two set points to win it in the tiebreak.
Ferrer reached the fourth round for the fourth year in a row and will next meet German Florian Mayer, who beat Pole Jerzy Janowicz 7-5 6-2 6-2 to become the first man to reach the fourth round.