Grigor Dimitrov withstands stern Andrey Rublev test to reach last 16

The Bulgarian, who lost to Rublev in last year's US Open, struggled to hit top gear on the Rod Laver Arena, but persevered to win 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-4 and set up a fourth-round clash against either Nick Kyrgios or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Dimitrov bounced back from dropping his opening service to break Rublev twice and take the opening set in 39 minutes.

The Bulgarian began the second set with another break, but this time it was Rublev who responded with two breaks of his own, battling from 4-2 down to win the next four games and level up the match.

The third set proved to be a role reversal of the second, as four games on the spin helped Dimitrov recover from 4-2 down to take command of the tie.

Dimitrov claimed the all-important break in the seventh game of the fourth set, going on to close out the match after more than three hours on court.

Elsewhere, PabloCarrenoBusta reached the Australian Open fourth round for the first time after battling past big-serving Gilles Muller 7-6(4) 4-6 7-5 7-5.

The Spaniard dug deep against Luxembourg’s finest, breaking in the 12th game of sets three and four to wrap up the win in three hours and 21 minutes.

Awaiting the 10th seed will be either American RyanHarrison or sixth seed MarinCilic, who are in third-round action later on Friday.