Murray is completely unflustered by allowing the previous game to slip by so easily, responding in kind with a hold to love of his own.

Image source, Getty Images

A second ace and a fine forehand after a lengthy rally take Robert to 30-0 before Murray fires long to give the Frenchman three game points. Murray then nets, providing Robert with a rare (and very welcome) easy hold - and a much better start to this set than the last one.

Rafael Nadal leading 4-1 in the third set on Rod Laver Arena, but the world number one has been tested in this match. Kei Nishikori had two break points in the third game but the Spaniard responded as he usually does, taking the game to deuce and pulling through.

The 16th seed then needed treatment on his toes before serving, but the pedicure did little to help Nishikori as Nadal won eight out of 10 points to break and take a 3-1 lead. Again Nishikori had a chance on the Nadal serve but the top seed saved two break points to take a commanding lead.

Image source, Reuters

The order of play for Tuesday has just come in for Rod Laver Arena. No doubt the Ivanovic v Bouchard match, which pitches Serena Williams's conqueror against the talented Canadian teenager, will catch a lot of attention but defending men's champion Novak Djokovic faces his first real battle of the fortnight against Stan Wawrinka.

From midnight:

4-Li Na (China) v 28-Flavia Pennetta (Italy)

14-Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) v 30-Eugenie Bouchard (Canada)

Not before 03:30 GMT:

7-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) v 3-David Ferrer (Spain)

From 08:00:

8-Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland) v 2-Novak Djokovic (Serbia)

Miles Maclagan
Former coach to Andy Murray and Laura Robson on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"The tennis Murray's played in the last 10-15 minutes is not the tennis he's going to play against the top guys. if you play a 15-minute period like he's played against the big guys he's going to break down and that could be the set and match gone."

Listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Robert, as he has tried to do so often, forces his way to the net and, this time, gets his rewards to edge ahead in the game, but at 15-15 he shanks a forehand long as Murray moves to within two points of the set.

Out of nowhere, Robert responds to force a break point but Murray attacks, coming to the net himself to snuff out the Frenchman's hopes.

A big serve then gives the Scot a set point, which he passes up as he sends down a double fault. He then earns a second set point, but again double faults in almost identical fashion.

That only delays the inevitable, though, as Murray makes amends with a sliding serve which Robert cannot return, followed by a crosscourt forehand which leaves his opponent helpless.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

Image source, Getty Images

"It's a bit of a mismatch, isn't it?" That was an early call from the media seats after four games and it continues to look pretty accurate. Some "casino tennis", as promised by Robert, has given the crowd plenty of entertaining tennis but made barely a dent on Murray's defences. Coach Lendl is looking relaxed down below us, his legs now wrapped in a towel as the early evening chill begins to bite a little. Very sensible."

Murray edges ahead on the Robert serve but the Frenchman responds and Murray sends a return long to give his opponent a second consecutive hold. You suspect it will only delay the inevitable, mind, as Murray takes a breather before returning to serve for the set.

Image source, Reuters

If Robert was hoping for some momentum from that service hold, he'll have to think again. Even though Murray miscues one forehand to give his opponent a little hope - a rare unforced error from the British number one - he follows that up with a couple of fine points to snuff out any hint of danger.

Jeremy Bates
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"A good start to the third set on Rod Laver Arena. Nadal showing no discomfort to that taped-up hand. Nishikori with a very aggressive service game. It's 1-1 in the third set."

Listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Robert stops the rot! After losing his first two service games in the set - and nine in a row in the match - he must fear the worst at 15-30, but the Frenchman recovers to take the game when Murray belts a forehand into the net.

Both players contribute to the rally of the match at 15-0, which Murray edges before failing to finish a point at 30-0, the Frenchman producing a fine backhand from deep which passes Murray despite the Scot looking sure to win the point. Murray moves to 40-30, though, and Robert nets to give Murray the game.

From a break up, Kei Nishikori now needs to save two set points in the second set but the Japanese player is overpowered by Rafael Nadal who whacks a winning forehand across court and punches the air in celebration. A 'vamos' from Nadal as he moves two sets up, leading 7-6 7-5, but the Spaniard requires treatment before the third set. He seems to have a blister on his already strapped-up left hand.

Image source, AP

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Robert had only lost one set in his opening three rounds but this is a whole different level and he just can't hold on to his serve. At 15-30, a sliced Murray shot puts Robert in an awkward position and, yet to learn from his earlier errors, attempts an unlikely drop shot which is not even close to making it over the net. That gives Murray two break points and a brutal forehand from the back of the court ensures he claims the double break in the second set.

Murray is very much in the ascendancy but Robert continues to have glimmers of hope on the Scot's serve. A bizarre exchange of three mishit shots give the Frenchman a sniff at 0-30, but Murray senses the danger to hold.

Image source, AP

Robert's fine start to the opening set suddenly seems a long time ago. At 15-30 he gets a slice of luck when Murray misjudges a chipped approach shot, but the world number 119 wastes that with a second sloppy drop shot of the match, which, like the first, finds the net as Murray breaks.

David Law
BBC Radio 5 live sports extra commentator

"That was something really impressive from Murray. Robert walks back to his chair and I think he's just realised what he's up against."

Listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

That didn't take long, did it? Robert may be the world number 119 but Murray looks in fine form, a stunning forehand denying the Frenchman what looked a certain point as the Scot moves to 40-0 and three set points. He wastes no time, sweeping a forehand past the stranded Frenchman to take the set in 25 minutes.

Murray begins to take complete control of the set, working Robert around the court at 0-30 before a driven backhand volley from left to right gives him three break points, the first of which he takes when the Frenchman fires long. Murray to serve for the set.

Image source, AP

Defending champion Victoria Azarenka remains on course for a third straight Australian Open title after she beat Sloane Stephens 6-3 6-2 in a rematch of last year's controversial semi-final.

"I just love playing here," she said. "I love the surroundings - it feels so cosy and it feels like home."

Catch up with the day so far in our round-up.

Men's results

Women's results