As it happened: Nadal and Sharapova win

1. Rafael Nadal beats Dudi Sela in straight sets
2. Spaniard claims 6-1 6-0 7-5 victory
3. Maria Sharapova defeats Zarina Diyas
4. Second seed wins 6-1 6-1
5. * Denotes next server

Nadal goes to add his autograph to various Australian Open souvenirs and that is our cue to wave you goodbye. Easy victories for Nadal and Sharapova, but a surprise defeat for Roger Federer. Has the Australian Open got any more shocks in store for us? It's a question I can't answer at this moment, but who knows what drama Day Six will provide us with.

Nadal's next opponent will be the beanpole South African Kevin Anderson. "I have to be relaxed," says Nadal. "I need to rest, have practice tomorrow. Kevin Anderson is a big player, a big serve, very dangerous and he will be a very difficult opponent for me."

Asked if he did anything differently to recover for this match, Nadal says: "Sleep." Courier responds by asking whether the Spaniard is a vampire. Could this be the biggest revelation in sporting history? Well... "I don't like to sleep a lot. I feel that when I'm sleeping I'm losing time." Classic vampire response.

Nadal replaces his t-shirt with a grey hoodie and tightens his shoelaces before returning to the middle of the court to answer Jim Courier's questions.

Here is what he says: "I started playing well, not many mistakes in the first two set. In general I think I was playing much better than the day. In the third, he had some chances, seriously, he is a player than can play crazy, a good backhand, and I was lucky at the end of that third set."

Game and third set

Reuters

Sela passes Nadal with a forehand, forcing the Spaniard to simply watch the ball fly by. But Nadal has plenty of tricks left in his magic box, a forehand winner down the line levels at 15-15. An error from the line judge as he deems a Nadal backhand to be out when in fact it was in. The point must be replayed and it's to Nadal's detriment as he is left stranded in the middle of the court by some more stellar Sela improvisation.

But just when Sela thought the tables might turn, Nadal increases the intensity, squanders his first match point but collects a second. An anguished roar from Sela as he nets. The world number 106 withstands a series of brutal forehands before his resistance crumbles and Nadal secures victory with an irretreivable crosscourt winner.

Nadal fans gulp, while those in favour of this match extending to a fourth set cheer as Sela notches two points on the trot for a 0-30 lead. Nadal in a spot of bother... the Spaniard prowling at the net... Sela with a backhand straight at his opponent and it's too much graphite not enough string from Nadal, which presents Sela with two break points. Wowzers.

Nervous energy ripples around the arena. Nadal forces the game to deuce, but he must save a third break point as Sela outwits him with an intelligent forehand into the corner. Save Nadal does - stepping in for the overhead. The Spaniard pulls through. Three break points saved and he's ahead once more. And breathe.

Wizardry from Nadal as he sprints across the baseline to retrieve and, in a flash, he turns defence into attack with a sublime crosscourt forehand winner. Sela, though, continuing to hold his own thanks to cunning and guile. He's adding variety to his game, keeping Nadal guessing, and holds to 30 with a feather-soft touch at the net.

EPA

Sela doesn't look like a typical modern-day sportsman. He's more David than Goliath, more diminutive librarian than Adonis. What Sela lacks in power, though, he makes up for in speed. Nadal thinks he has won the game with an ace, but he is told he must serve again. Eventually, the Spaniard pulls through to nudge ahead. Solid if unspectacular from the 2009 champion.

The spectators are enjoying the Sela resurgence, probably hoping for at least a tie-break to get more value for their money. The man from Israel now oozing confidence and holds to love.

The players have been bish, bash, boshing on Rod Laver Arena for over 100 minutes and, just as we thought we were nearing the end, Sela produces some magic from his racquet to earn two break points. It's a combination of the world number 106 frustrating Nadal with moonballs and Nadal's intensity dropping.

But to deuce we go, Nadal stepping in from the baseline as he goes in search of a solution and it pays dividends. Sela butchers a return when Nadal was there for the beating, but we're back to deuce as Nadal falters once more. Uncharacteristic errors, but the Spaniard eventually dismisses the threat.

Is this where Nadal turns the screw? The Spaniard collects two break points with ease. But Sela saves one. An ace. He saves another - a forehand into the corner sending Nadal scampering and the Spaniard clubs a forehand into the tramlines. Sela digging in and pulls through thanks to a dash of guile and a bucket-full of spirit.

EPA

Here's a fact for you - the Spaniard has rattled 17 forehand winners from his mighty racquet. Sela is more competitive in this set, nicking points off the Nadal serve, but a Nadal straight-sets victory still feels inevitable.

Earlier, we asked you to tell us how deep, to use American parlance, Andy Murray would go in this tournament and the majority of you - 34% - opted for the semi-final, with 29% thinking he would reach the final and 20% believing he would finally win the tournament. So there.

Back on Rod Laver Arena, Sela is holding on. At 40-30 he sees a Nadal forehand hurtling towards him, decides to avoid it and it's the correct decision as the ball bounces beyond the baseline. Loud cheers for the underdog.

Sela is almost down and out, but he continues to lunge from tramline to tramline, attempting to retrieve as best he can one flamethrower after another. He can't stop Nadal, however, who launches an all-out attack from the baseline, and holds to love.

Getty Images

Sela approaching the net more frequently than he has done in previous games and his reward is a 40-15 lead. Nadal either finding the net or clubbing a groundstroke wide. A Nadal forehand a fraction wide and decibels rise on Rod Laver Arena as Sela holds. The 29-year-old raises his arms, conducting the crowd as they holler and whistle at ear-splitting levels.

News filtering through that Nadal has lost just six points on his own serve in the opening two sets, which is phenomenal, but has only produced the one ace. Nadal allows two points to slip in this game, falling 0-30 behind. The third seed drags himself back into contention at 30-30, but a wild and loose crosscourt forehand from the Spaniard gifts Sela a break point, his first of the match.

How does Nadal respond? By forcing his opponent on the backfoot, leaving him flat-footed on the baseline while he sprints to the net and rattles off awinner. Second break point for Sela, though. Second saved. Nadal comes through that slight blip and he's motoring again.

Game and second set

With Nadal in such commanding form, the only thing we can question him on is the length of his shorts. How short should shorts be? The third seed is showing quite a bit of leg muscle above the knee, but his outfit isn't exactly George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley during their Wham days. Neither are they as revealing as Premier League kits in the early '90s.

Getty Images

It takes Nadal a while to wrap up the set, needing five set points to see off Sela, but win the set he does, as we all expected him to do.

The crowd giggle, Nadal smiles as Sela pleads for mercy. The world number 106 needs some help from somewhere. He screws a forehand into the tramlines and slips further behind as Nadal, once again, comfortably holds.

Nadal breaks

Nadal overpowering Sela from the baseline and it's the Spaniard who, more often than not, is coming out on top of the lengthy baseline duels. Brutal stuff from the Spaniard who is upping the ante in this game - a curling backhand winner, a forehand stonker... A couple of break points and the game is his. Jaw-droppingly good from the third seed.

Nadal rattles off points in quick succession and, on this form, we must tip our hats in the Spaniard's direction. Sela helpless on the baseline and, like many others who have gone before him, has no way of responding to Nadal's groundstrokes which are full of top spin and menace.

Nadal breaks

Oohs from the crowd as Nadal produces a breathtaking backhand return to reduce the deficit to 30-15 and the spectators are cock-a-hoop as the third seed shuffles his feet, looking a little unsteady but comes up with a forehand winner into the corner. Coach Toni looks at the gentleman sitting next to him and nods in approval. This could be a straight-sets romp for Nadal.

Nadal lost only four points on his own serve in the first set and his dominance continues at the start of the second. He nets a straightforward backhand, and it's a hold to 15 for the Spaniard who is keeping the points short by serving with aplomb.

Game and first set

Getty Images

This first set will not last for long because Nadal has two set points and he only needs the one. Nadal looking far more comfortable today than he did in the previous round.

Nadal going through is idiosyncratic routine... the bounce, bounce, bouncing of the ball... the tug of the pants... Showmanship from Sela and he has the crowd purring as he bamboozles Nadal with a pirouette and a quick-as-a-flash backhand. It's another trouble-free hold for the Spaniard, though, as he marches towards first-set victory.

Sela having to fight and stretch and brawl for every point, but it is something he is willing to do and he gets his rewards with a hold to love. His first hold of the match and he skips towards his chair for the changeover with the crowd's applause ringing in his ears.

Vote

BBC

So, Andy Murray is through to the last 16, but - with his Wimbledon conqueror Grigor Dimitrov up next - will that be the end of the line?

You can vote on how far Murray will go on the right-hand side of this page, or by clicking the vote tab on your mobile or tablet.

A frustrated groan from Sela as his looping forehand drifts over the tramlines. Playing one of the greatest players in history already messing with the underdog's mind. On the other side of the net, Nadal is as clinical and tigerish as ever, concluding a simple hold with his first ace of the match.

Nadal breaks

Warm applause for Sela as he launches an ace down the middle, and the world 106 has the crowd whooping and whistling on the next point, pouncing on a Nadal crosscourt forehand like a panther and replying with a whipped winner. But 30-30 is as good as it gets for Sela - Nadal breaking with an exquisite forehand winner.

Getty Images

Dark shades needed for those looking at Nadal. The Spaniard has opted for a bright pink t-shirt - a shade which was last worn in public on a regular basis in the 80s - combined with a radioactive yellow headband. If you can't beat your opponent with brutal groundstrokes then dazzle him with colourful attire.

Plan A is currently working for Nadal, though, with the Spaniard overpowering his opponent - sealing a comfortable hold with a ruthless winning forehand.

Nadal breaks

A nervous start for Sela, and understandably so, as Nadal collects three break points. But the 29-year-old starts to swing loose and free from the baseline, a classy forehand winner down the line the pick of the bunch as he levels to deuce. A fourth break point for Nadal thanks to that lassoed forehand of his, but we're back to deuce again. Break point number five. Nadal breaks. On we go.

Rafael Nadal was nearly booted out of the tournament by qualifier Tim Smyczek but the Spaniard came through a thrilling five-setter to reach the third round. The third seed needed treatment for stomach cramps during that match so has he recovered from whatever was troubling him? We're about to find out.

Who is Dudi Sela?

BBC Sport

For those of you not in the know, Dudi Sela is a 29-year-old Israeli ranked 106 in the world. He has yet to win a title and should he beat Rafael Nadal (no sniggering, please) it will become the first Israeli man to reach the last 16 of the Australian Open since 1992.

But before we focus on Nadal's first meeting with 29-year-old Sela, let's focus on what has already happened in Melbourne today. Basically, it's a case of Murray through but Federer out.

British number one Andy Murray saw off Portugal's Joao Sousa in straight sets. Phew, I hear some of you say, but should the Scot reach the last eight he will not face Roger Federer because the 17-time Grand Slam champion was beaten 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 7-6 (7-5) by Andreas Seppi. A shock, you could say.

Sharapova's day in Melbourne Park is done and successfully dusted, which means Rafael Nadal will soon appear on the cobalt blue court to take on the unseeded Dudi Sela.

EPA

So, Sharapova reaches the fourth round of the Australian Open for a fifth year in a row and for the ninth time in 12 occasions. Her last loss in the third round of a Grand Slam was at the 2011 US Open so the match unfolded as the bookies would have predicted.

Game, set and match

Whoops and whistles for Diyas as she wins a point for 30-15 - the underdog's never-say-die attitude forcing Sharapova to net. A fourth double fault from Sharapova as we're even-stevens at 30-30, but the second seed grabs a match point and progresses to the fourth round with her third ace of the match. That was easy peasy.

Sharapova breaks

Sharapova wipes her mouth with the back of her hand, pausing for a moment as she tries to fathom a way of overhauling Diyas who is 30-15 up. Whoa! Cat-like reflexes from the second seed, stretching at the baseline to scoop the ball from her shoelaces and subsequently producing an incredible forehand winner. Another stunning winner from the Russian - her 21st of the match - brings up a break point.

But, surprisingly, to deuce we go, though Diyas can't kill off Sharapova. The 21-year-old comes to the net, plonks a forehand into the tape, presenting Sharapova with a second break point - which she this time takes as Diyas balloons a forehand wide to put the second seed within touching distance of victory.

AP

Sharapova cruising down a street called easy as she collects three points in succession without much fuss. The crowd clap in approval as Diyas flicks her wrists, hops on the front foot, and produces a crackerjack of a winning return. At 40-30 are seeds of doubt being sown? Well, that could have been the case had Diyas, racing towards the net, not flapped at a simple-looking volley.

Sharapova breaks

At 0-30 Diyas is at the bottom of the mountain, having to reach the top on a miserably foggy day in flip-flops. Impossible? Dangerous? It should be, but the 21-year-old drags herself level and skips 40-30 ahead before Sharapova drags the game to deuce.

Sharapova with a break point but a spirited figthback from Diyas, coming out on top of a baseline bashing, proves she has plenty of fight left. Some clumsy mistakes from Sharapova as the pair flick from advantage to deuce before we end up at break point and Sharapova takes it.

Getty Images

There's nothing to see here, no dramas to write about except for a dodgy double fault - Sharapova's third of the match - at 40-0 before the second seed comfortably holds to 15.

Sharapova breaks back

Diyas is hoping to reach the fourth round for only the second time in her career, having done so at Wimbledon last year in what was a fabulous 2014 for the 21-year-old. Despite being a break up in the second set, she is still the underdog here, though there are chinks in the Sharapova armoury - a wild overhead, for instance, when the court was at her mercy.

Nevertheless, a double fault present Sharapova with a break point and the Russian seals the deal with a winner down the line. As you were.

Diyas breaks

Sharapova wipes her sweaty face with an Australian Open beach towel before returning to the service line to launch some more missiles towards Diyas. Opening blow to Diyas and then Sharapova coughs up a double fault. A lazy forehand from Sharapova presents her opponent with three break points. My, oh my.

The second seed doesn't usually surrender without a fight and she doesn't on this occasion, saving two break points. But Diyas takes advantage of a net cord, then drags her opponent toward the tape and Sharapova, at full stretch, nets a forehand volley. Break Diyas.

Game and first set

Plenty of empty seats on Rod Laver Arena and those ticket holders who have decided they have better things to do are missing out on a ruthless display from Sharapova. Two set points for the former champion. She squanders one, but takes the second with an impressive crosscourt winning return.

Oof! Diyas nicks two points on the Sharapova serve - a backhand winner which grazes the line the highlight. Will she? Can she? Surely not? From 0-30 to 30-30 we go as the second seed, keeping the points short this time, reels in her opponent. But Sharapova slaps a forehand into the tape and Diyas has a break point.

Boom! An ace from Sharapova forces the game to deuce. The duo then embark on a baseline slug-fest which Sharapova wins - Diyas scooping a backhand well wide. And a quiet "come on" from Sharapova indicates that the game is wrapped up in the Russian's favour.

Better from Diyas and, at 40-15, she has a first hold of the match in sight. "Out!" yells a line judge - a call so late that the players had continued to play a couple of shots. Replays show that Sharapova's forehand was a fraction wide which means DIYAS HOLDS!

Getty Images

Sharapova, wearing a fetching coral dress with matching visor (hopefully it's ok to comment on tennis players' attire), is in the groove - a stonking forehand down the line followed by a crosscourt winner makes for a beautifully-crafted point which takes her to 30-0.

Diyas isn't playing particularly poorly but is just playing a superior opponent who has hit a purple patch. The 21-year-old nets and Sharapova then clinically holds to love with a driving backhand winner.

Sharapova breaks

At 15-15, Diyas has hope but the underdog is soon overpowered from the baseline as Sharapova quickly accumulates two break points. The second seed bossing it from the middle of the court and ends Diyas' misery with an overhead.

Cute from Sharapova, sending Diyas one way with a booming serve and beating her opponent on the next shot by screwing a forehand into the corner. Big-hitting from the Russian who eases to 40-0 and an iffy forehand into the tramlines is the only blot as the second seed holds to 15.

Sharapova breaks

Diyas to serve first but the 21-year-old is given a glimpse of the talent which faces her at the other side of the net as a winning return thunders beyond her. The Kazak in a hole already, needing to save two break points, and there is no spade big enough to get her out of this one. Sharapova nets one but after a mini baseline duel Diyas goes long and Sharapova has the earliest of early breaks.

The psychology student on the rise

Getty Images

For those of you unfamiliar with Kazakhstan's Zarina Diyas, the 21-year-old is studying psychology by correspondence, but academia hasn't stopped her vastly improving her ranking over the last 12 months, progressing from 163 to 31 in the world.

Sharapova facing the unknown

Getty Images

Maria Sharapova has never faced Zarina Diyas before today and the Russian had a few problems with an unknown in the previous round in Melbourne.

After her 6-1 4-6 7-5 win over world number 150 Alexandra Panova, the second seed admitted it's "tricky" facing opponents she has never played.

"It's always tricky. No doubt about that. It's unusual after being on the tour for many years. Yet there are always girls coming up that are rising, doing well," said the 2008 Aussie Open champion.

Hello! Welcome to live text commentary of the Australian Open tennis. Our first match will be Maria Sharapova's ding-dong with Kazak Zarina Diyas, followed by Rafael Nadal's tussle with Dudi Sela. Dudi who? We'll come to that later because Maria Sharapova has just strolled onto Rod Laver Arena so let's get started.

Who'd have thought it? Roger Federer has been beaten. Routed, licked, mastered. Which means one second seed is gone, outta here - but will another follow today at the Australian Open?

AP

Just like Federer, Sharapova struggled in the previous round, saving two match points against Alexandra Panova, so victory against the lesser known Zarina Diyas is not a forgone conclusion for the women's second seed. Exciting, isn't it?