Image source, Getty Images

One hundred and seven winners, a possible on-court vomit and only a game or so difference over 252 minutes of a stratospheric tennis.

Rafael Nadal v Tim Smyczek is one to file away under unlikely classics in your tennis memory banks.

Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. See you back here soon for more of the same.

The result of that one will be in our round-up, but in the meantime let's take a little spin forward to tomorrow's schedule.

And what about this for a round two match-up? Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki against two-time champion Victoria Azarenka.

That one gets going at 08:00 GMT on Margaret Court while Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Stosur give Rod Laver Arena a local twang.

Bear in mind that it is now 23:50 in Melbourne. On a weeknight as well.

The action is not nearly done on the Rod Laver Arena though.

Jarmila Gajdosova, born in Bratislava, living in Dallas, but representing Australia, is currently taking on third seed Simona Halep of Romania.

She is 2-1 down in the opening set after losing her serve.

Image source, AP

It has been a good day to be at Melbourne Park.

While Rafa was scraping into the third round, over on the Margaret Court Arena, Bernard Tomic got the home fans a'hollering with a four-set win over 22nd seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber.

He will play another Australian in the third round in the shape of Sam Groth - who disposed of teenage compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis over five sets.

After that scare, Rafael Nadal will be pleased that it is not the face of 2012 Wimbledon conqueror Lukas Rosol that will greet him at the third round coin toss.

The Czech 28th seed was beaten by Israel's Dudi Sela earlier today in the match next to this one in the draw.

Fahad Khan:, external This is why tennis missed Rafael Nadal. What a player - a gigantic pillar of raw mental strength.

Nick Wall:, external Unlucky Smyczek; he played a great match, but that was superb defiance from Nadal. Indomitable champion.

Mr H: , externalFantastic, fantastic match of tennis. Well done Rafa and really well done Tim. Great entertainment. Shame has to be a loser.

Rafael Nadal: "Today the conditions were a little humid for me. I tried to deal with my condition and the support of a fantastic crowd really helped.

"I don't know what was going on. In the second set I started having cramps around my body, but all these processes are normal after a long time off the tour and hopefully I will be back to my normal level soon."

Nadal also takes time to congratulate Tim Smyczek on his performance and thank him for an moment in the final game where the American let him retake his first serve after a shout from the crowd interrupted him mid ball toss.

Image source, AP

Tim Smyczek departs to 15,001 pairs of clapping hands. Not only is every spectator off their seat and applauding, but Rafael Nadal takes a moment from packing his bag to join in.

Absolutely every decibel is fully deserved as well.

Leon Smith
GB Davis Cup captain on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"It's a sign of Nadal's greatness to get through that match. It means so much to him to win a tennis match. It was a phenomenal effort from Smyczek too."

David Law
BBC Radio 5 live sports extra commentator

"Nadal celebrates as if he's won the title but he's only into the second round. He can't believe he's won."

Image source, AP

Rafael Nadal, almost working on muscle memory, is clinical for the first three.

A serve out wide, followed in for 15-0.

A backhand volley pins the open court for 30-0.

Another tee-off straight into the American's body brings up 40-0.

But Tim Smyczek is not going to bow out on a bum note.

Back he battles to 30-40 and Nadal with a clean play on the ball finds only the net!

Finally though Nadal finds the winning combination - a serve out wide, a big forehand back the other way and he can finally drop to his knees in celebration.

David Law
BBC Radio 5 live sports extra commentator

"Poor old Smyczek who has battled the great Nadal for so long has finally wilted in the face of a barrage of hitting from Nadal. He did little wrong but we saw the greatness of Rafael Nadal there."

Rafael Nadal stretched as thinly as budget sandwich butter at 0-15, but he stays in the rally and finally gets his chance and lands brilliantly cross-court.

Smyczek nicks a point back with a big serve, but a dipping pass nails the American on the toes for 15-40 and two break points.

It only takes the one. Smyczek into the net. And out of the tournament? He has not much impression on the Nadal serve yet in this set.

When you have been down into the depths of Grand Slam finals, maybe this doesn't really count as pressure.

Rafael Nadal is locked on and with the forehand looking well oiled he holds to love.

No tie-breaks in the fifth set remember. Fill that thermos, we could be here some time.

Image source, Getty Images

As the balls travel up to Tim Smyczek's end, both players indulge in a bit of shadow stroke play, swatting thin air and staring down their opponent.

Let's get it on.

Seconds out and Rafael Nadal humps in a huge forehand winner for 15-30 and then has a tantalising look down the line at 30-30. His forehand flies a centimetre or two long and the Spaniard has his head in his hand.

That was the key point in the game and those are the margins. Nadal to serve to stay in the game next...

Leon Smith
GB Davis Cup captain on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"It is amazing how relaxed Smyczek looks right now. It's an absolute privilege to watch this match. He's in a situation he's never been in before but he seems to be enjoying it."

My word. What tennis.

Tim Smyczek whips a forehand winner off his shins and from way behind his baseline. Another 24-carat beauty follows, as he buries a backhand down the the line to bring up 15-30.

Rafael Nadal is finding the sweet spot as well though. The Spaniard runs around his forehand and finds a jagging angle for 40-30.

Smyczek crushes a return for deuce. More Nadal power closes the door.

String stretched as wide as pupils as the Rod Laver crowd lap it up.

Leon Smith
GB Davis Cup captain on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"Smyczek is seeing the ball like a football. He is launching into big forehands and backhands to put the pressure on Nadal. He is hitting the ball so well."

How are those nerves?

Tim Smyczek's bottle gets tested as Rafael Nadal works up a 15-30 scoreline.

A big serve keeps the wolf from the door for the moment, but Rafael Nadal forces him deep and into the net to bring up break point.

First serve missed.

Second serve sits up pretty for Nadal to hit, but his backhand punt drifts well wide. That was a chance.

There are not any more offered up either. Two more missed returns and that game will feature heavily in Uncle Toni's post-mortem if this turns out to be a loss.

Both players' serves are now looking locked down Fort Knox-tight.

It is Rafael Nadal's turn to hold to love - clumping power behind the forehand and piercing serves.